News McDonald's Japan switches to paper and wooden utensils

[thomas]

McDonald's new policy, to take effect on Friday, is expected to prevent 900 tonnes (!) of plastic waste annually.

The chain will stop offering plastic straws and forks as supplies run out at its roughly 2,900 locations nationwide. The change by McDonald's, which comes after Japan enacted a law in April designed to reduce single-use plastics, broadens the restaurant industry's efforts to balance fast, low-cost service and sustainability. McDonald's shift away from plastic in Japan began during February at 30 test locations in Kanagawa prefecture, near Tokyo. All of the chain's roughly 310 restaurants in Kanagawa and Kyoto prefectures have since stopped using plastic straws and utensils. Some exceptions, such as straws designed for children, are being made for safety and convenience. The company threw away about 6,500 tonnes of plastic waste in Japan from its restaurants in 2021 alone. The estimated reduction of 900 tonnes includes take-home items.

McDonald's switches to paper straws, wooden utensils across Japan

Hamburger chain's shift to eliminate 900 tonnes of plastic waste annually

asia.nikkei.com

 

[Lothor]

Meat and dairy produce are wrecking havoc on the planet through the use of a vast area of land to grow grain to feed animals. The ecosystem is now so skewed toward human food production that 60% of the mass of mammals on earth is from livestock. I cannot view this change, which is basically from single-use plastic to single-use wood, as anything more than cosmetic.

 

[musicisgood]

Other countries are doing away with plastics. Have you seen all the liquids that use plastic.
Japanese cooking oil company now started using cartons. Hopefully this will catch on worldwide.
Although I don't trust wine that is sold in cartons, it is a way to go also.

 

[Petaris]

Meat and dairy produce are wrecking havoc on the planet through the use of a vast area of land to grow grain to feed animals. The ecosystem is now so skewed toward human food production that 60% of the mass of mammals on earth is from livestock. I cannot view this change, which is basically from single-use plastic to single-use wood, as anything more than cosmetic.

Not only that but now there will be more wood harvested. While it is an improvement, we can grow more trees and wooded utensils will biodegrade, it still isn't perfect. It would be better if re-usable utensils became more prevalent but there are issues there as well.

I can't read the article as it is blocking it and requiring a subscription. What type of wood are they going to use for this? Bamboo or softwood? I can't imagine it being hardwood as it would just be too expensive.

 

[thomas]

I can't read the article as it is blocking it and requiring a subscription. What type of wood are they going to use for this? Bamboo or softwood? I can't imagine it being hardwood as it would just be too expensive.

Sorry about the paywall. I got an inexpensive Nikkei subscription this year and will keep sharing summaries of their more exciting pieces.

Unfortunately, the article does not mention what wood they will use. I wish it were bamboo, but according to this, it's natural birch wood (in the case of McDonald's Australia).

Celebration's own, EnviroWare® branded wooden cutlery is carefully sourced. Made from natural Birch Wood that is fully sustainable and FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified. Made using 100% natural wood – there are no coatings, wax, or chemicals added. This means the wooden cutlery is fully biodegradable and commercially compostable.