On December 19, 2025, McDonald's China announced a green upgrade of its food packaging - over 7,500 restaurants across the country will gradually adopt new biodegradable packaging. After the upgrade, the main packaging materials of McDonald's will be polylactic acid (PLA) and paper. It is estimated that the use of petroleum-based plastics will be reduced by over 5,800 tons annually. McDonald's China is committed to green innovation and, while ensuring the dining experience for customers, makes more responsible choices and uses packaging materials.



Starting from today, all McDonald's restaurants across the country have begun to gradually adopt the new biodegradable packaging - the packaging for McCoffee and beverages, as well as the packaging cups and lids for new ground, corn, porridge, etc. will use PLA materials. At the same time, some packaging (the packaging bodies of beverages, new ground, corn, etc.) will also be switched from petroleum-based plastics to paper-based packaging materials. The newly upgraded packaging features four key characteristics: "innovation, environmental protection, experience, and safety".

Innovation: The new upgraded packaging was developed during the research and development process. Approximately 100 packaging schemes were screened, and over 2 million practical tests were conducted. This resulted in the large-scale application of biodegradable packaging. This innovation was achieved through the joint efforts of McDonald's China and its supply chain partners, as well as local independent research and development.

Environmental Protection: The upgraded packaging is made with innovative biobased materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and paper, and is expected to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics by over 5,800 tons annually, promoting the transformation of packaging materials to renewable resources.

Experience: McDonald's China adheres to providing customers with a better dining experience while using more environmentally friendly packaging. The new cold drink cup lid innovatively adopts a "double-arched anti-leak" structure, obtaining a patent for the design (CN309649874S). By raising the ventilation holes and maintaining the direct drinking opening, the leak-proof performance of the new cold drink cup lid has been effectively enhanced. The new hot drink cup lid, through its self-developed formula, has improved the toughness and heat resistance of the PLA material, further optimizing the user experience for consumers.

Safety: Hygiene, safety and reliability have always been the standards that McDonald's sets for its customer packaging. McDonald's China has established a strict quality inspection system at the supply chain entry stage. The upgraded packaging materials for all product categories have passed third-party authoritative tests, and all indicators meet national food safety standards. This ensures a solid food safety defense line from the very beginning.

Weng Yunxuan, the executive dean of the College of Light Industry Science and Engineering at Beijing University of Technology and the secretary-general of the China Plastics Association's Degradable Plastics Committee, said: "Biobased packaging materials are made from biomass as raw materials and through biotechnology. They have good biocompatibility and the property of biodegradation. PLA biobased materials have attracted global attention and are strategic new materials in China. They are in line with the national carbon reduction strategy and the goal of building a beautiful China. McDonald's China's large-scale application of PLA biobased materials is a forward-looking green packaging exploration. It is of great significance for the development of the biobased material industry and the sustainable development of the catering industry."

McDonald's China continues to promote the "green packaging" initiative, optimizing packaging materials, reducing plastic usage, and collaborating with local supply chains for innovation. It is gradually expanding the range and application scenarios of green packaging, creating a rich green packaging experience for consumers.