Less is more! McDonald's Germany tests its own reusable deposit system at 10 locations

McDonald's Germany is taking the next step on its roadmap for less plastic and packaging waste published in 2019. Starting in November, the company will test serving its most popular beverages and desserts in its own reusable packaging for in-house and to-go consumption at 10 restaurants (including in the Munich area and in Berlin). The products will be served in the new reusable packaging on demand from guests and for orders placed in the restaurant and at the McDrive. The live experiment will initially run for just under two months until the end of the year. Guests and employees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the new packaging. This is intended to make a significant contribution to improving the concept. With this test scenario, the company is preparing for the nationwide rollout of its own reusable deposit system for beverages and ice cream by December 2022.

Your environment, your choice: Ask for reusable!
By testing its own reusable deposit system, McDonald's Germany is setting the course for alternative and plastic-saving packaging solutions at an early stage, even before a legal reusability requirement takes effect in 2023. McDonald's guests can specify which of the test products they would like to use reusable packaging for when ordering at the 10 selected restaurants. A one-euro deposit will be charged per package. When the reusable cups are returned to the participating test restaurants, the deposit is refunded in full. In this way, the company ensures that the packaging finds its way back to the restaurant and can be reused. The cup design for the national launch of McDonald's own reusable packaging will also be further developed in the wake of the test on the basis of feedback from guests. The test will be supported by a high-profile communication campaign in the participating test restaurants and via digital channels in the predominantly local environment.

The McDonald's packaging journey
The measures to reduce waste and packaging are part of McDonald's comprehensive sustainability strategy in Germany. In addition to testing the reusable system, McDonald's is working to continuously optimize its existing disposable packaging, has its own recycling system for disposable beverage cups, and uses a high proportion of recycled materials in its packaging. At the same time, 100 percent of McDonald's paper-based packaging already comes from recycled or certified sources. The company's commitment in this area underscores its sense of responsibility towards the environment and society, while making it clear that its journey is far from over. As part of its packaging tests, McDonald's engages in open dialog and, above all, shows how important it is to the system caterer to take its guests and employees along on the path to less packaging waste and more sustainability.