Wed 22 September 2021:
McDonald’s wants to minimize the amount of plastic in its Happy Meal toys globally by 2025.
The fast-food giant said Tuesday that it is collaborating with toy producers on innovative concepts such as three-dimensional cardboard superheroes that kids can construct or board games using plant-based or recycled game pieces.
McDonald’s also claimed it’s looking into making new restaurant trays out of recycled plastic toys.
McDonald’s, founded in Chicago, sells about a billion toys each year. According to the firm, the new objective would reduce virgin plastic use by 90% compared to 2018.
McDonald’s restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland currently only sell soft toys, paper-based toys, and books. In 2019, Burger King withdrew plastic toys from children’s meals in the United Kingdom.
McDonald’s chief sustainability officer Jenny McColloch said the company has already been learning from feedback in France, the U.K. and Ireland, where the toys have already rolled out. The goal is to make sure they are safe and sturdy enough for children.
The newer options will also be “cost neutral” for franchisees because the effort was designed with the existing price in mind, Murray said. In the past, lower-plastic options have included Pokemon cards and books.
According to McColloch, the more sustainable toys will begin rolling out widely in the U.S. by January.
(Input with agency)
