Four-lid mini McFlurry cups will help McDonald's improve packaging recyclability

As McDonald's introduces its Mini McFlurry format to the U.S., the company is offering small and standard servings of the soft serve ice cream dessert in a four-lid cup, which helps it reach its goal of 100% renewable, recyclable or certified materials for its main customer packaging by the end of 2025.

The four-lid package is already available in Canada, Indonesia and other international markets. Integrating it into McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. will help improve the sustainability credentials of its main customer packaging range.

This includes single-use packaging served to consumers across all consumer channels, such as containers, cups, clamshells, folding cartons, salad bowls, cup holders, wrappers, catering bags, napkins, straws and packaging for Happy Meal books and toys.

McDonald's claims that 86.7% of its packaging materials will come from renewable, recyclable or certified materials by the end of 2023. Additionally, in national markets with mature waste and recycling infrastructure, current recycling regulations, and "high" customer awareness of waste and recycling, more than 88.3% of McDonald's restaurants (McDonald's claims to be in 21 of these markets) apparently allow customers to recycle and/or compost packaging items.

The Mini McFlurry will be available at all participating McDonald's locations in the U.S. starting September 10. McDonald's hopes that in addition to being redesigned with sustainability in mind, the smaller, more "tempting" packaging will give consumers more control over their portion sizes.

"Packaging updates like this are important, not only giving our U.S. fans a fun new way to enjoy a McFlurry, but we're one step closer to meeting our packaging and waste commitments," said Michael Gonda, McDonald's senior vice president and chief impact officer for North America.

Last year, McDonald's was named among the companies that reduced their consumption of "harmful plastics" in the annual report of the WWF's Plastic Sources project. However, the report noted that the percentage of plastic in these companies' total portfolios has increased overall.

Meanwhile, independent McDonald's franchisee Arcos Dorados Holdings is rolling out paper-based food packaging featuring a biodegradable, home-compostable, repulpable and recyclable barrier coating produced by Johnson & Johnson Green Paper Co. The move, aimed at helping the fast-food industry phase out plastics, PFAS chemicals and consumer waste, currently applies to the bags and wrappings that are the staple for hamburgers.