• McDonald’s UAE introduces wooden cutlery, stirrers, and paper straws.
  • By 2025, Happy Meal toys will shift to sustainable materials.
  • Over 28 million kilometers traveled using biodiesel, reducing CO2 emissions.
  • Partnership with EEG results in planting 2 million trees across the UAE.

In a move that highlights its commitment to environmental stewardship, McDonald’s UAE is introducing sustainable packaging solutions across its restaurants. As part of a broader effort to reduce plastic waste, customers will now find wooden cutlery, wooden stirrers, and paper straws in place of conventional plastic items. This change, which started in September 2024, is set to be fully implemented across all UAE locations by the end of the year, offering patrons a more sustainable dining experience.

The shift away from plastic doesn’t stop there. By the third quarter of 2025, McDonald’s UAE plans to replace all hot drink lids with molded fiber alternatives, while remaining PET products will transition to recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Additionally, the brand is set to reduce plastic use in its Happy Meal toys and implement more sustainable materials across its product line by the end of 2025. These initiatives align with McDonald’s UAE’s long-term goal of significantly decreasing its environmental footprint.

Walid Fakih, CEO of McDonald’s UAE, stated, “Introducing sustainable packaging is a key part of our commitment to environmental responsibility and supports the UAE’s vision for a cleaner, greener future by 2050.” He emphasized the company’s longstanding dedication to sustainability, referencing impactful initiatives such as their biodiesel program, tree-planting efforts, and packaging improvements over the years. Fakih added that while there is still more work to be done, McDonald’s UAE is committed to achieving its sustainability goals while maintaining the quality and convenience its customers expect.

McDonald’s UAE’s efforts in sustainability date back to 2011 when it partnered with Neutral Fuels to convert used cooking oil into biodiesel. Since then, the brand’s supply trucks have traveled over 28 million kilometers using biodiesel, saving more than 26 million kilograms of CO2 emissions. In addition, over 8.6 million liters of used cooking oil have been recycled. These numbers illustrate the company’s significant strides toward reducing its carbon footprint.

McDonald’s UAE has also been a key player in conservation efforts, partnering with the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) since 1994. Through this partnership, McDonald’s has contributed to various eco-friendly initiatives, including the collection of over 380,000 kilograms of aluminum cans, mitigating nearly 5,800 metric tons of CO2, and planting over two million trees. The company also actively participates in EEG’s annual “Clean UAE” campaign, which has removed more than 1.6 million kilograms of waste since 2022.

These initiatives, combined with McDonald’s UAE’s ongoing commitment to reducing waste and promoting a circular economy, position the company as a responsible corporate citizen in the UAE. The latest packaging transformation is another step in the brand’s sustainability journey—one that continues to evolve, aiming for a cleaner and greener future for all.

By integrating eco-conscious strategies with its iconic brand, McDonald’s UAE is not only enhancing the dining experience but also reinforcing its role in the global movement for sustainability. With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, the company continues to set new standards in corporate social responsibility across the region.

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