Good news: fast food restaurants will no longer be used to eating from disposable plates

Post-oven McDonald’s fans may have been the first to notice. Since January 1, fast food restaurants are prohibited from serving meals eaten on the premises in disposable plates. A measure that applies to all fast food restaurants with a capacity of at least 20 seats.

The anti-waste law

This measure, a pioneer in Europe, is part of the Agec lawalso known as the anti-waste law. Voted in 2020, aims to eliminate single-use plastics by 2040. According to The worldthe Ministry of Ecological Transition considers the partial ban on disposable tableware in fast food restaurants it would avoid the production of 150,000 tons of waste per year. To ensure compliance with this measure, fast food restaurants will be supervised by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumers and Fraud Prevention, whose penalties could vary from fine from 1,500 to 15,000 euros.

The obstacles

If the provision represents a step forward for the protection of the planet, its effectiveness clashes on several points. The world so it proves it many fast food restaurants have not yet taken the necessary measures to respect this new ecological constraint. On the other hand, those who have done so have not always opted for the best solutions. Interviewed by the French newspaper, Benjamin Peri, co-founder of the Pyxo company, specialized in reuse systems for restoration, explains that the crockery chosen by McDonald’s, for example, is made with materials whose life span does not exceed 1 year and which, moreover, is difficult to recycle. He explains it too the “most difficult” will be “managing the consumer” and encouraging him “to return the containers”.

The takeaway sale soon worried

The measure does not apply to takeaway saleswhich it still represents “up to 70% of the turnover of some establishments”. It is the object of next stage of this measure, but no date has been announced yet. First, Christophe Béchu, Minister for Ecological Transition, made an appointment with the main fast food chains on January 6, “so that they can present their action plan to us”he said on Twitter.

Cover image: Unsplash / Crystal Jo