McDonald's Taiwan ditches plastic lamination, some paper boxes

Taipei, July 8 (CNA) 's Taiwan has stopped using plastic lamination and paper boxes for certain items as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability.

Starting in July, the fast-food chain began serving items such as the Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, Filet-O-Fish, and Apple Pie in paper wraps and bags instead of boxes -- a move it says could save around 10,000 trees annually, McDonald's Taiwan said in a news release Tuesday.

In addition, the company said it has replaced the plastic lamination inside its packaging with materials made from starch or silicon, which is expected to reduce plastic use by 86 metric tons per year.

McDonald's said the initiative followed three years of research, development, and testing of new materials and techniques before being formally launched.

The new packaging was first piloted in October 2024 at two of its eco-friendly concept stores and later rolled out to four more locations in March.

McDonald's said that the packaging overhaul is part of its broader push for environmental sustainability, noting that more than 200 of its restaurants in Taiwan now offer reusable cups to reduce single-use cup waste.