McDonald's customers have branded a new change introduced to all UK restaurants as 'criminal'.
The fast food restaurant is axing plastic cutlery in favour of paper-based spoons in a bid to eliminate 858 metric tonnes of plastic each year. The new cutlery is made from renewable, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified pressed-paper and is fully recyclable and compostable, McDonald’s said.
It comes after the chain already switched to the paper-based alternatives across restaurants in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. McDonald’s said it will now gradually roll out the new cutlery across England and Wales from Tuesday (November 8) as it phases out the plastic items.
Nina Prichard, head of sustainable and ethical sourcing at McDonald’s, said: “As a business, we’re committed to taking action on packaging and waste and increasing our use of sustainable materials. We’re pleased to announce another step forward in eliminating single-use plastics and it’s great to be switching our famous McFlurry spoons to this new paper-based material.”
But, despite the environmental benefits, customers weren't too pleased about the change. Many were quick to take to social media to share their views. Twitter user @waterrrangel said: "Finding out McDonald's are now using paper spoons for mcflurries has ruined my week."
@caitlinwhiteox added: "i could sob, maccies have changed the mcflurry spoon to a PAPER SPOON. when will it end. sorry turtles but i don’t agree on this one" as @Kashmiri_chaa claimed: "Paper spoons at maccies? Gonna eat it with my hands instead".
"Maccies using paper spoons aswell as straws now is criminal" @CaIIumZM said as @c0ttoncandyx added: "why the f**k have maccies changed their spoons, ragin."
Twitter user @bwilzz added: "the new @McDonalds mcflurry spoons are disgusting" meanwhile @AidanCo53089560 questioned: "what is with the new mcflurry spoons I feel like im eating a mcflurry with an Argos catalogue".
The move is part of the US-based firm’s sustainability strategy – Plan for Change. It includes a goal to achieve net zero emissions across its UK and Ireland business by 2040.
McDonald’s also set a target to ensure all its packaging is made from renewable, recycled or certified sources and is fully recyclable and compostable by 2024. It has already introduced paper-based straws, new McFlurry cups without plastic lids, and developed salad boxes made from card.
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