McDonald’s Corporation in the U.K. has joined with TerraCycle the operator the loop recycle operation. Customers pay a small redeemable charge for cups taken from the store. Cups are returned to TerraCycle for processing including removal and replacement of the plastic liner and decontamination comprising washing through the loop system before delivery to a McDonald’s restaurant. McDonald’s operates the Recup system in Germany and is evaluating a recycling system with NexGen in the U.S.
It is evident that major QSRs will have to reevaluate re-cycling of plates, cups, utensils and containers to reduce wastage. Most QSRs have embarked on programs to replace plastic with recyclable alternatives.