By Paige Bennett, Edited by Chris McDermott, May 9, 2023
Following recent laws proposed by the European Commision in November 2022, fast food company McDonald’s is lobbying strongly against the legislation, which targets reductions in packaging waste.
In an open letter published in April, McDonald’s — along with other companies and trade associations, including Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin’ and Yum! — addressed the EU, asking for a halt to the proposed packaging and packaging waste regulation.
Over the past year, McDonald’s has helped fund three studies to argue against the packaging waste reduction targets, although the company has stated that it does support the European Green Deal. The studies have been criticized for a lack of transparency from not sharing data or methodology that resulted in the studies’ conclusions.
“The publication uses unclear data and assumptions to undermine the role of reusable packaging,” Marco Musso, a policy officer at the European Environmental Bureau, told DeSmog. “It’s a bit disturbing that it’s then presented as unquestionable science.”
The company and other industry groups have said that turning to reusable packaging will require more water and energy to wash and dry the food packaging. McDonald’s also said packaging is essential for quick and efficient service to customers on its No Silver Bullet website, one of two sites the company has set up to lobby against the packaging waste laws. In addition to the studies and websites, McDonald’s has paid for multiple sponsored articles to share its position.
According to Jean-Pierre Schweitzer, the deputy policy manager for circular economy at the European Environmental Bureau, the proposed legislation is one of the most lobbied on file that the EU Parliament has seen, as reported by DeSmog.
While McDonald’s and other opponents said in the open letter that moving to entirely reusable packaging by 2030 would increase greenhouse gas emissions for dine-in restaurants by about 50% or up to 177%, and up to 260% for takeaway restaurants, other studies have found the opposite to be true.
The European Commission noted that the proposal could decrease greenhouse gas emissions from 66 million metric tons to 43 million metric tons by 2030. A recent study based in the U.S. found that reusable containers can reduce energy demand, global warming potential, water consumption, waste and even costs.
The packaging waste legislation targets a single-use packaging ban for restaurants and cafes by 2030 and sets a goal for a 10% switch to reusables for takeout food and a 20% switch for to-go beverages. Without changes, the European Commission predicted that packaging waste will increase from 180 kg per person in Europe to 215 kg per person by 2030.
Based in Los Angeles, Paige is a writer who is passionate about sustainability. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ohio University and holds a certificate in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She also specialized in sustainable agriculture while pursuing her undergraduate degree.
(Sources: EcoWatch)
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