McDonald’s Taiwan advances sustainability with new packaging initiatives

TAIWAN – McDonald’s Taiwan has taken bold steps toward environmental sustainability by phasing out plastic lamination and paper boxes for several menu items, replacing them with eco-friendly paper wraps and bags. 

The initiative, rolled out in July 2025, targets waste reduction and aligns with global efforts to minimize plastic use in the fast-food industry.

Popular items like the Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, Filet-O-Fish, and Apple Pie are now served in paper packaging, moving away from traditional cardboard boxes. 

“Switching to paper wraps is projected to conserve approximately 10,000 trees annually, while eliminating plastic lamination will reduce plastic usage by 86 tons each year,” said a McDonald’s Taiwan spokesperson. 

The transition also includes adopting fluoride-free greaseproof paper for all packaging bags, enhancing recyclability.

Each product required tailored packaging solutions to maintain quality and functionality. For example, the Filet-O-Fish’s steamed bun demands breathable, oil-resistant wrapping to prevent sogginess. 

Drawing inspiration from McDonald’s France and Korea, the company refined the Big Mac’s wrap through extensive trials to preserve its iconic presentation while ensuring ease of use for staff and customers. 

“Our goal was to balance sustainability with the customer experience,” the spokesperson added.

Plastic lamination has been replaced with natural starch or silicon-based alternatives, maintaining grease resistance and breathability without sacrificing recyclability. 

Additionally, over 200 McDonald’s Taiwan restaurants have introduced reusable polypropylene (PP) cups for dine-in customers. 

These BPA- and plasticizer-free cups, capable of withstanding temperatures from -5 to 110 degrees Celsius, undergo rigorous cleaning processes, including manual rinsing and machine washing at 80–85 degrees Celsius with food-safe detergents.

In October 2024, the company piloted the new packaging at two eco-friendly concept stores, expanding to four more by March 2025. 

This follows a global trend, with McDonald’s reporting that 86.7% of its primary packaging worldwide came from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by late 2023. 

The company aims to reach 100% by the end of 2025, alongside eliminating added fluorinated compounds.

“We’re committed to reducing our environmental footprint while delivering the quality our customers expect,” said a McDonald’s Taiwan representative. 

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