McDonalds UK getting rid of plastic straws.
By April
@thislittlepennyearns (65865)
Defuniak Springs, Florida
June 15, 2018 9:02am CST
They are replacing them with paper straws. Which to me just means a different kind of waste. But whatever. I dont really know how much this is going to accomplish. Especially if plastic straws will still be available behind the counter. But I guess A for effort..
McDonald's has pledged to ditch plastic straws at all its restaurants in the UK and Ireland from September.
9 people like this
12 responses
@JohnRoberts (109845)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Jun 18
There is a move to ban plastic straws in the US. Paper would be biodegradable while plastic is said to be filling the oceans. Big business is using the mask of saving the environment in order to save money in this case concerning straws. Straws will be available but people will be forced to ask for them (a server was fired for having the audacity to ask if the customer would like a straw) thus fewer straws thus money saved.
3 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (65865)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
15 Jun 18
I won't use paper straws.
I know a lot of stores are trying to get rid of plastic bags.
2 people like this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
15 Jun 18
^^^ what he said!
Rarely do companies really go out and try to do things for the actual betterment of the world or the environment. Its all about their growing profits and free marketing. However, it is nice when they do make changes that can help the environment.
2 people like this
@Anaeu92 (138)
• Castlebar, Ireland
15 Jun 18
I don't think that the server was fired for asking if they want a straw, that's just manipulation by some people that want you to believe their story. And regardless, I don't care if they save money while saving the environment, every step forward should be applauded not criticized, we should all be trying to do something too.
3 people like this
@porwest (108146)
• United States
24 Aug
It never accomplished a damn thing is what matters to me. And paper straws were never better. Perhaps finding a way to make them recyclable would have been a better idea and I am not sure why we don't start with that as a solution when it comes to things like this?
2 people like this
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@LeaPea2417 (38462)
• Toccoa, Georgia
15 Jun 18
That is a small good step in the right direction.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (65865)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
15 Jun 18
I dont think it'll pan out as well as they hope.
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (65865)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
30 Aug
@porwest remmeber when everyone was pushing the reusable bags....that was a mess. we have one , but only because its insulated so when we have to pick up groceries before picking kids up it keeps the cold stuff cold.
1 person likes this
@porwest (108146)
• United States
24 Aug
@thislittlepennyearns There's always a crisis they want to promote behind these things. Hell, when they went to plastic bags at the grocery stores it was to save the rainforest. Now we want to ban the plastic to save the turtles and whales. It never ends.
1 person likes this
@Anaeu92 (138)
• Castlebar, Ireland
15 Jun 18
I believe that if we really want to save the earth, plastic should be banned everywhere on the planet. For comodities,not necesities. But unfortunately, this wouldn't happen because well, money are more important than earth. And there would be backlash from uneducated people, or people that do not respect mother earth. Until it will be too late...
1 person likes this
@anamika161088 (11866)
• India
15 Jun 18
Great initiative by McDonald's. Paper is biodegradable and environment friendly. Plastics are a curse to the earth. 
@Chrisanswers (1)
•
15 Jun 18
I am delighted to hear that they are moving away from om plastic straws.
At least when it comes to paper it can be easily changed, either by recycling them into new products or by simply disposing of then correctly.
My only issue is that the process used to clean recyclables is usually bleach, which can be worse for the environment than plastic as a lot of companies tend to have their waste pour into streams and oceans anyway.
So I guess whilst nice to see, it will remain to be seen whether it is viable or not in the long term I feel.
