See what’s next to go in the war on plastic

Posted by AFN Staff Writers on 23rd July 2018

WHAT’S next in the dynamic war on plastic after McDonalds’ decision to phase out plastic straws?

McDonalds announced last week it would start an attempt to phase out plastic straws from all its 970 Australian stores by 2020.

An initial trial of paper straws would start at two stores in August.

The move comes as Woolworths and Coles phase out single-use plastic checkout bags, and after Starbucks’ decision to eliminate plastic straws from all its store within two years, citing the environmental threat to oceans.

Well, now expert market forecasters have had their say and Australian Food News can now tell its readers what’s next in the war on plastic waste.

Bookmakers, that’s right, bookies are now offering odds to punters on the race to rid ourselves of plastic.

So according to the experts at Sportsbet, KFC are favourites to be the next chain to phase out plastic straws, followed by Hungry Jacks, Pizza Hut, Subway, Nando’s, Oporto and Donut King.

Next chain to ban the straw?

$1.82 KFC Australia
$4.00 Hungry Jack’s
$5.50 Pizza Hut Australia
$8.00 Subway Australia
$14 Nando’s Australia
$16 Oporto
$21 Donut King Australia

Also in this edition of Australian Food News

Environmental groups say Australians use about 10 million straws every day, or 3.5 billion a year, and unless you have a disability you don’t really need to use them.

McDonald’s Australia supply chain director Robert Sexton said in a statement: “We know plastic straws is a topic our customers are passionate about and we will find a viable solution.”

The stocks meanwhile of paper straw makers must on the rise.

Greenpeace Australia applauded Maccas’ decision.

“It’s wonderful McDonald’s is making a commitment to reducing consumption of single-use plastic and we look forward to seeing more detail around this proposal to see the overall impact,” Greenpeace spokesman Simon Black told AAP.

But the bookmakers are not confining themselves to straws when it comes to betting on the war on waste. There’s a market for the “next item to go from Maccas”.

The favourite in this category is the plastic drink lid, followed takeaway coffee cups, condiment packages, and salad container, among the more fancied outcomes.

Next item to go from Maccas?