McDonald’s set to use Welsh firm’s paper straws
McDonald’s is replacing its plastic straws with paper ones and a Welsh company has been awarded a contract to supply paper versions, a move that will see 200 new jobs coming to a Vallleys town.
The roll-out of paper straws in all 1,361 restaurants will begin from September, with the process to be completed next year.
McDonald’s said it had found two suppliers to meet its needs for paper straws, the start-up Transcend Packaging based in Ebbw Vale, and Huhtamaki, a global company which will produce the straws at its plant in Belfast. The McDonald’s contract will see a huge recruitment drive for the Valleys company.
“Transcend will supply sustainable paper straws and folding cartons and will employ in the region of 200 people within the next three years,” Lorenzo Angelucci, managing director of Transcend Packaging, told the Western Mail.
“I am delighted that McDonald’s has taken this visionary step towards helping to reduce the environmental impact of the food industry through their purchase of paper straws.
“Transcend Packaging Ltd is a new company based in South Wales and focused on producing sustainable packaging solutions across the food and cosmetic industries. The Welsh Government has recognised this emerging sector and supported its establishment through a grant.”
The move by the fast food giant comes as pressure grows on companies to reduce single-use plastic products and packaging, amid concerns over plastic pollution in the oceans where items such as straws harm wildlife like turtles and fish.
A trial of paper replacements has been conducted at a handful of venues since April, and found customers reacted positively to the change, with the majority supporting the effort to protect the environment.
McDonald’s has already taken steps in all its restaurants in the UK and Ireland to put plastic straws behind the counter to reduce waste.
The new straws will use paper from certified sustainable sources, the company said.
Other businesses to drop plastic straws include Burger King, JD Wetherspoon, Costa Coffee, Pizza Express and Wagamama.