The biggest brands are changing their packaging — and it affects you
When McDonald’s and Starbucks change their packaging, it is not just a corporate press release — it reshapes the entire food packaging industry. These two companies collectively operate over 70,000 locations worldwide and purchase billions of cups, containers, lids, and bags every year. When they shift from plastic to fiber, from foam to bagasse, or from virgin materials to recycled content, they move markets, change supplier priorities, and set the standards that regulators and consumers then expect from everyone else.
In 2025 and 2026, both companies have accelerated their packaging transformations. For food service buyers at every scale — from independent café owners to regional restaurant chains — these shifts create both challenges and opportunities. Understanding what the giants are doing, and why, helps you make smarter packaging decisions for your own business.
What McDonald’s has changed
Eliminating plastic packaging components
McDonald’s has systematically removed plastic from its packaging wherever possible. The company replaced plastic straws with paper-based alternatives across most markets, redesigned its McFlurry cups to eliminate separate plastic lids, introduced fiber-based salad boxes and cutlery to replace plastic versions, and moved Happy Meal toys away from virgin fossil-fuel plastics, achieving a 63.7% reduction by late 2023.
The 100% sustainable sourcing target
McDonald’s set a goal to source 100% of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by the end of 2025. By late 2023, they had reached approximately 86.7%. The remaining gap primarily involves technically complex items like flexible wraps, plastic-lined cups, and multi-material containers that do not yet have commercially viable sustainable alternatives at the scale McDonald’s requires. The company reached approximately 90.9% by the end of 2025.
PFAS elimination
McDonald’s committed to removing all intentionally added fluorinated compounds (PFAS) from its packaging by the end of 2025. This is significant because PFAS chemicals — used for grease resistance in food packaging — are facing bans across the US and EU. McDonald’s early move signals to the entire industry that PFAS-free packaging is not just possible but expected.
Molded fiber innovation
McDonald’s has invested in molded fiber technology as a replacement for plastic lids, sundae cups, and other items. This technology uses bagasse, bamboo, or wood pulp pressed into shape — essentially the same material many independent restaurants already use for takeout containers. By adopting it at massive scale, McDonald’s is driving down production costs and improving availability for all buyers.
What Starbucks has changed
Fiber-based cold cups
Starbucks, in partnership with Finnish packaging specialist Huhtamaki, has been testing compostable fiber-based cold cups in UK stores. This is a major departure — cold cups have traditionally been made from PET or PP plastic because they need to be transparent and resist condensation. Starbucks’ willingness to sacrifice cup transparency for sustainability signals that consumer priorities are shifting from aesthetics to environmental responsibility.
Polypropylene recycling breakthrough
In February 2026, Starbucks achieved a significant milestone when its polypropylene (PP) cups earned a “Widely Recyclable” designation in the US. This means these cups can now be recycled through curbside programs reaching over 60% of American households. Starbucks accomplished this through collaboration with the NextGen Consortium, The Recycling Partnership, and waste management company WM to build the recycling infrastructure needed to actually process these cups at scale.
Reusable cup programs
Starbucks has expanded its reusable cup programs in multiple markets, allowing customers to bring their own cups and offering discounts for doing so. While reusable programs will not eliminate single-use cups entirely, they reduce overall packaging volume and signal a shift toward circular economy models that regulators increasingly favor.
Investment in packaging innovation
Starbucks and McDonald’s jointly invested $10 million in the NextGen Consortium, a circular economy initiative managed by Closed Loop Partners. This consortium funds research into sustainable foodservice packaging solutions — from new materials to better recycling infrastructure. The scale of this investment accelerates innovation that benefits the entire food service industry.
What this means for your restaurant or food brand
1. PFAS-free packaging is now the baseline
If McDonald’s — the world’s largest restaurant company — has eliminated PFAS from its packaging, regulators and consumers will expect the same from everyone. Over 20 US states now restrict PFAS in food packaging, and the EU PPWR bans them from August 2026. If your current packaging supplier cannot confirm PFAS-free status, you need to switch before regulations force you to — likely at higher cost and on a tighter timeline.
2. Fiber-based packaging is the future
Both McDonald’s and Starbucks are moving aggressively toward fiber-based materials — paper, bagasse, molded pulp. This is not a trend; it is a structural shift driven by regulation, consumer preference, and supply chain economics. As the biggest buyers shift demand toward fiber, suppliers are scaling up production and costs are coming down. Smaller buyers benefit from this increased supply and reduced pricing.
3. Custom printing on sustainable materials is standard
Both companies maintain full-color branded packaging on their sustainable alternatives. Molded fiber cups, paper bags, and bagasse containers all support high-quality printing. If you have been hesitating to switch to sustainable packaging because you thought you would lose branding quality, the McDonald’s and Starbucks examples prove otherwise.
4. Supply chain transparency matters more
Major brands now require full traceability of their packaging materials — from raw material sourcing through manufacturing to end-of-life. This trend is filtering down to smaller buyers. Your packaging supplier should be able to tell you where the raw materials come from, what certifications the factory holds, and how the finished product can be disposed of responsibly.
5. Cost premiums for sustainable packaging are shrinking
When sustainable packaging options first appeared, they cost 50-100% more than conventional alternatives. As McDonald’s and Starbucks shift billions of units to sustainable materials, economies of scale have brought costs down dramatically. Today, the premium for switching from conventional plastic to paper or bagasse alternatives is typically 10-25% — and in some categories, the difference has nearly disappeared.
Practical steps for food service buyers in 2026
Based on where the industry leaders are heading, here is what food service buyers should do now. First, audit your current packaging for PFAS content and request written confirmation from your supplier. Second, identify which packaging items can be switched to fiber-based alternatives immediately — typically cups, bags, and dry food containers are the easiest transitions. Third, test bagasse or molded fiber containers for your hot food items — the technology has matured significantly and performance is now comparable to plastic. Fourth, request sustainable certifications from your supplier, including FDA food-contact compliance, PFAS-free declarations, and compostability certifications where relevant. Fifth, plan your transition in phases rather than switching everything at once — start with your highest-volume items where cost savings from sustainable alternatives are greatest.
How GQTH Pack supports your transition
At GQTH Pack, we supply the same types of sustainable packaging materials that global brands are adopting — paper cups, bagasse containers, kraft paper bags, and PLA cold cups — all available with custom printing and at wholesale prices accessible to businesses of any size. Every product we supply is PFAS-free and meets FDA and EU food-contact safety standards.
Whether you are switching from plastic for the first time or looking for a more cost-effective supplier for packaging you already use, we can help. Contact us for a free sample pack and see how your brand looks on sustainable packaging.