Closing the loop on waste

We aim to create a circular system where our packaging and waste has a second life.

<h2>Closing the loop on waste<br> </h2>

Our commitment and goals

By 2024 our customer packaging will be made from renewable, recycled or certified sources and designed to be recyclable or compostable

By 2027 give the waste* collected from our restaurants a second life by recycling, reusing or composting

By 2030 reduce the amount of material used across packaging in customer and kitchen areas in the McDonald’s system by 20% versus 2023***

We believe that the future of materials is circular and that we need to close the loop on waste. Our goal is to make sure that, by 2027, McDonald’s restaurant waste is given a second life so that nothing is truly wasted – instead it is recycled, reused or composted.

When it comes to our packaging we consider what it’s made of and what happens to it after it has protected our food. Our aim is that none of the materials we use in our packaging will be from finite resources. Our goal is for all our primary customer packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2024.

We’re helping to bring packaging back to life again in fun and useful ways, such as sending paper cups to be recycled into paper bags and perfume boxes.

Reimagining packaging

We’re helping to keep waste out of nature by reducing our packaging and switching to more sustainable materials that can be recycled or composted.

Recyclable packaging

In 2022 we shifted 94% of our primary customer packaging in Ireland to renewable, recycled or certified sources. While we continue to innovate, we’re committed to ensuring the same high-quality packaging for our customers and now, 90% is either recyclable or compostable.

Paper-based cutlery

The biggest impact in 2021*** was our switch to paper-based cutlery made from FSC certified paper – it’s light, resilient, and compostable or recyclable.

Recycled drinks lids

In 2024 we plan to increase the recycled content of our plastic drinks lids from 40% to 100%. We’re also continuing to explore commercially viable recyclable options to replace the plastic lining in our cups.

Removing plastic from hot drinks lids

In 2024 we plan to roll out new fibre-based lids, already used for Expresso drinks, to all hot drinks.

Plastic-free salad boxes

In addition to removing the plastic lids from our McFlurry® cups in 2022, we also introduced plastic-free salad boxes and breakfast platters.

Re-using ingredients waste

We are exploring pilots that use different waste streams such as bioplastic made from our used coffee beans and starch from potato waste for our wall graphics and adhesive.

Making it easy for customers to recycle

We have made it easy for customers to play their part by installing recycling bins across our restaurants. And we're including clear recycling labelling on all packaging to help customers to recycle at home.

The people behind our Plan

"We've been collaborating with McDonald’s on innovations in packaging, including switching plastic to paper-based materials and reducing the overall amount of packaging – all of which will help to reduce waste and contribute to speeding up the transition to closing the loop."

Neal Mccone, Global Category, QSR & Beverage, Huhtamaki Fibre Foodservice (packaging supplier)

Our partnerships

Bord Bia

Food Drink Ireland

Net Zero standard restaurants

Developing Great Restaurants doesn’t stop with our commitments on waste. Our Plan for Change also includes goals to achieve net zero standard restaurants.

Find Out More

Our long-term goals in full

See the details behind our Plan.

Find Out More

*Excludes car park and sanitary waste

**Annual reduction compared to 2023

***Change made in 2021 in Republic of Ireland and 2022 in the UK