Mcdonald’s replacing plastic straws

Mcdonald’s is replacing plastic straws with paper ones across all its UK and Ireland restaurants after a successful trial.

A roll-out of paper straws in all 1,361 restaurants will begin from September, with the process to be completed next year.

The move comes as pressure grows on companies to reduce single-use plastics, amid concerns over plastic pollution in the oceans where items such as straws end up harming wildlife like turtles and fish. The Government has unveiled plans that could see plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds banned from sale in England as part of efforts to cut the amount of waste which ends up in rivers and oceans.

The restaurant chain has conducted a trial of the paper replacements at a handful of venues since April, and found customers reacted positively.