McDonald’s gives paper cups a ‘new life’
In Germany, beverage, milkshake and ice cream cups at McDonald’s restaurants will be re-used to make toilet paper, according to a partnership between the fast food chain and Essity’s Tork brand.
McDonald’s Deutschland LLC first piloted the project in 2020, in an effort to give paper cup waste a ‘new life’.
The pilot showed that Sweden-based Essity can successfully use the paper cups, after they have been shredded, as materials for some of their mills and turn them into Tork branded toilet paper.
“It’s exciting to work with our customers on sustainability projects like this. Combining our recycling technology and knowledge of circular services with McDonald’s Deutschland LLC sustainability ambitions is enabling a future business model that helps to close the loop,” said Don Lewis, President of Essity Professional Hygiene.
All collected paper cup waste from McDonald’s sites in Germany will be recycled, reducing waste by an estimated 1,200 tonnes per year.
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