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McDonald's hated new 'eco-friendly' paper straws CANNOT be recycled


Hated new ‘eco-friendly’ paper straws at McDonald’s CANNOT be recycled – unlike the plastic versions they replaced

  • Plastic straws were withdrawn in the UK in drive to become more eco-friendly 
  • But disappointed customers have said the new paper straws ‘dissolve’ in drinks 
  • An internal McDonald’s memo revealed the new hated straws are not recyclable 

McDonald’s hated ‘eco-friendly’ paper straws cannot be recycled – unlike the plastic versions they replaced.

The fast food giant switched from plastic to paper across their 1,361 restaurants in the UK and Ireland, after facing pressure to become more eco-friendly.

But customers have been critical of the new straw, saying they dissolve before a drink can be finished, and become ‘mushy’ when drinking a milkshake.

Some have called for the return of plastic straws, which McDonald’s admitted were ‘100 per cent recyclable.’

Now, an internal memo revealed by The Sun, admits the new paper versions can’t be recycled and have to be burned. 

Customers have been critical of the new straw (pictured), saying they dissolve before a drink can be finished, and become 'mushy' when drinking a milkshake

Customers have been critical of the new straw (pictured), saying they dissolve before a drink can be finished, and become ‘mushy’ when drinking a milkshake

Some have called for the return of plastic straws, which McDonald's admitted were '100 per cent recyclable' (pictured)

Some have called for the return of plastic straws, which McDonald’s admitted were ‘100 per cent recyclable’ (pictured)

The memo says: ‘Paper straws are not yet recyclable and should be disposed of in general waste until further notice.’

The paper straws have caused consternation among customers who have complained they ‘dissolve’ in milkshakes, go ‘mushy’ and even change the taste of the products.

Customer Martin Reed even created a petition demanding for McDonald’s to bring back plastic straws which has received more than 50,000 signatures.

A source told The Sun: ‘When McDonald’s introduced paper straws it was getting pats on the back for being environmentally responsible.

‘But it seems like it was a stunt to appease green campaigners because the things go straight in the rubbish. It’s ridiculously stupid.’

A spokesman for McDonalds said: ‘We strengthened our paper straws so, while the materials are recyclable, their thickness makes it difficult for them to be processed by our waste solution providers.

‘We’re working with them to find a solution so putting paper straws in general waste is therefore temporary.’



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