McDonald's is testing a new lid without a straw | National and World News

Like the McRib, straws may be a thing of the past at McDonald’s.

The chain has begun testing strawless lids in select US cities as part of a multi-year effort to make its packaging more environmentally friendly.

“These closures help streamline our packaging and eliminate the use of small plastics, just one example of the many solutions we are reviewing as part of our ongoing global commitment to reduce waste,” a McDonald’s spokesperson said in a statement.

McDonald's lid without straw — McDonald’s has begun testing strawless lids in some US cities as part of a multi-year effort to make its packaging more eco-friendly.

Courtesy of McDonald’s

McDonald’s has begun testing strawless lids in some US cities as part of a multi-year effort to make its packaging more eco-friendly.

Courtesy of McDonald’s

The plastic lids have a removable tab to prevent the drink from splashing out. To drink from it, customers have to pull the tab back and place it in a small opening. It is similar to the Starbucks “sipper cup” lid that has been in use for the past three years.

Restaurant Business Online, which first noticed the new McDonald’s tops, saw that the new tops were being tested in Minneapolis. Customers can still request a straw if necessary, according to the report.

For the past few years, fast food chains in particular have been trying to find ways to reduce waste and go green. In particular, plastic straws can increase ocean pollution and microplastics that can harm marine wildlife.

McDonald’s set a goal in 2018 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its offices and restaurants by 36% between 2015 and 2030. In 2021, the chain swapped out some of its plastic Happy Meal toys for three-dimensional paper toys that customers can put together themselves.