What do the customers think?

CARLY STEPHENSON

The teaching assistant and mum of two, 35, from Felixstowe in Suffolk, said: “It’s good. Moving to paper straws will gain publicity and show that McDonald’s are doing something for the environment. It’s time big companies showed they’re doing their bit too.”

ASHLEY FRENCH

Trainee solicitor Ashley, 24, from Edinburgh, said: “I’m all for paper straws – if you make them available, people will use them. With a big firm like McDonald’s doing this, it will encourage companies to follow suit and hopefully have a knock-on effect.”

NAOMI ROTHNIE

The 22-year-old Tesco worker and mum of one, from Edinburgh, said: “I’m delighted McDonald’s are doing this. It won’t make any difference to me enjoying a drink but it could make a big difference to the environment.”

JAMES MOSS

Design engineer James, 24, from Edinburgh, said: “Firms like McDonald’s must go through millions of straws every day – something like this can make a difference. Material science has come a long way so we should be using more environmentally friendly alternatives.”

DEREK WHYTE

The construction worker, 53, from Edinburgh, said: “It’s all very well switching from plastic straws to paper but why not do away with straws altogether? When I’m at home or in a bar, I don’t drink through a straw. They are not necessary.”

LORCAN LYNCH

Lorcan, 24, a science and biology teacher from County Cork, said: “It’s fantastic. I teach the kids at school to be environmentally aware so McDonald’s are setting an example here. It’s a great initiative because plastics cause so much harm.”