On December 19, McDonald’s China announced a further upgrade to its green packaging initiative. More than 7,500 restaurants nationwide will gradually adopt new bio-based packaging. After the upgrade, McDonald’s primary packaging materials will be polylactic acid (PLA) and paper, which is expected to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics by over 5,800 tons annually. McDonald’s China remains committed to green innovation, choosing and using packaging materials more responsibly while ensuring a high-quality dining experience for customers.

Starting now, McDonald’s restaurants across China will progressively introduce the new bio-based packaging. PLA material will be used for McCafé packaging as well as lids for beverages, sundaes, corn, porridge, and other items. At the same time, some packaging components—such as the cups for beverages, sundaes, and corn—will be switched from petroleum-based plastics to paper-based materials. The upgraded packaging demonstrates four key features: innovation, environmental protection, user experience, and safety.

Innovation:
During the R&D process for the upgraded packaging, approximately 100 packaging solutions were evaluated and more than 2 million practical tests were conducted, enabling large-scale application of bio-based packaging. This achievement is the result of McDonald’s China working closely with its supply chain partners and leveraging localized, independent R&D capabilities.

Environmental Protection:
The upgraded packaging uses innovative bio-based materials—PLA and paper—as its core materials. It is expected to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics by more than 5,800 tons annually, promoting a transition of packaging materials toward renewable resources.

User Experience:
McDonald’s China insists on adopting greener packaging without compromising the customer dining experience. The new cold-drink cup lid creatively features a “dual-arched anti-spill” structure and has received a design patent authorization (CN309649874S). By raising the ventilation holes while retaining the direct-drinking opening, the anti-leak performance of the new cold-drink lid has been significantly improved. For hot beverages, the new lid uses a proprietary PLA formulation that enhances toughness and heat resistance, further optimizing the consumer experience.

Safety:
Hygiene, safety, and reliability have always been core requirements for McDonald’s customer-facing packaging. McDonald’s China has established a rigorous quality inspection system during supplier qualification. All upgraded packaging materials have passed third-party authoritative testing, with all indicators meeting national food safety standards, ensuring food safety from the source.

“McDonald’s China has achieved large-scale application of bio-based packaging, further advancing the transition of customer packaging materials toward renewable resources. This innovation fills a gap in McDonald’s global efforts in this field,” said Gu Lei, Chief Impact Officer of McDonald’s China. “We hope that through our own practices, we can work together with industry partners to make progress, so that every delicious meal carries a better future.”

Weng Yunxuan, Executive Dean of the School of Light Industry Science and Engineering at Beijing Technology and Business University and Secretary-General of the Degradable Plastics Professional Committee of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, commented: “Bio-based packaging materials, which use biomass as raw materials and are produced through biotechnology, offer good biocompatibility and biodegradability. PLA bio-based materials have attracted global attention and are considered a strategic emerging material in China, aligning with the national dual-carbon strategy and the goal of building a ‘Beautiful China.’ McDonald’s China’s large-scale application of PLA bio-based materials is a forward-looking green packaging exploration with significant implications for the development of the bio-based materials industry and the sustainable development of the foodservice sector.”

McDonald’s China continues to advance its “green packaging” initiatives by optimizing packaging materials, reducing plastic use, and collaborating with local supply chain partners on innovation. The company is gradually expanding the range and application scenarios of green packaging to deliver a richer, more sustainable packaging experience for consumers.

Leading Actions in Plastic Reduction:

• In 2007, McDonald’s China took the lead in using paper bags for take-out packaging, pioneering this practice in China’s foodservice industry.

• In 2010, McFlurry packaging was switched to paper cups.

• In 2020, straw-free lids were rolled out across all restaurants in mainland China, reducing plastic use by approximately 400 tons annually.

Continuous Upgrades in Materials:

• In 2020, McDonald’s China became the first brand in the industry to achieve 100% use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper for food packaging, supporting sustainable forest management.

• This latest initiative involves McDonald’s China working with industry partners to independently develop modified PLA formulations, enhancing toughness and heat resistance for hot-drink lid applications and further driving the transition of packaging materials from petroleum-based to renewable resources.

Wang Wenhua, a sustainability expert from the China Chain Store & Franchise Association, stated: “As a pioneer in promoting green packaging within the chain restaurant industry, McDonald’s has fully demonstrated its sense of responsibility and commitment to sustainable development. By actively exploring the large-scale application of new bio-based materials while balancing environmental protection and consumer experience, and by collaborating with local enterprises to innovate green packaging solutions, McDonald’s provides valuable practical examples for chain-operation companies.”