Back to the Future with Mickey Dee's

Back when I was a child...it's so weird when I write about this antediluvian era...back when I was a child there were church picnics around this time of year. There were plenty of kids and lots of activities for them. I can recall participating in three-legged and potato sack races -- yikes!

At the conclusion of the meal, eaten on paper plates, we'd have ice cream which was in small, round paper cups with a cardboard lid. We used a little wooden paddle as a spoon which was oddly fun to chew once the ice cream was finished. What was the theological significance of these events? Who knows? They were "fun and fellowship" and that was
enough.
 

Well, it's fascinating to read that MacDonald's, the fast-food giant, is going all "church picnic" as a "back to the future" Green initiative. I'll let them tell you about it:

TORONTO, June 19, 2019 /CNW/ - McDonald's Canada is on a journey to make its packaging more sustainable as part of its goal to reduce its environmental footprint and source 100 per cent of guest packaging from renewable and/or recycled materials.
To help get there, McDonald's will unveil two "Green Concept Restaurants" in London, Ontario and Vancouver, BC. These restaurants will act as incubator locations to test new packaging options and recycling initiatives.

The Green Concept Restaurants will continue using much of the current McDonald's packaging but will also test items with the potential to be rolled out more widely in the future. The first innovations will begin testing in the coming months and include:

A fully re-pulpable cup for cold beverages – a Canadian QSR first

• The cup uses an aqueous coating that is acceptable in recycling streams

New fibre lids – a Canadian QSR first

• Product is made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood fibre and is recyclable 
• The lid will also help reduce straw use, as guests can sip from it directly
• Lids will be tested on all three cold cup sizes
• Wooden cutlery
• Wooden stir sticks
• Paper straws

I haven't visited MacDonald's very often since they refused to put coffee in my refillable thermal travel mug, but I have to give credit where it is due. I hope many other companies will follow suit and that MacDonald's continues the roll-out. I might show up to see how they're doing, without the burlap sack.