Yum China’s KFC and Pizza Hut chains eliminate single-use plastics and embrace paper alternatives

06 Jan 2021 --- Yum China is launching a series of plastic reduction and eco-friendly packaging initiatives across brands including KFC and Pizza Hut in line with China’s latest sustainability regulations. 

The initiatives include replacing existing plastic packaging with paper straws, paper bags, and biodegradable plastic bags.

Yum China is anticipating a reduction of approximately 8,000 tons of non-degradable plastics annually starting from 2021 through these actions.

In a landmark announcement that rippled across the globe, China’s National Development and Reform Commission began phasing out the production and use of single-use plastic products in 2020.

The ban is being gradually implemented across the world’s most populous country by 2025, while non-degradable plastic bags, straws and cutlery were due to be phased out of all major Chinese cities by the end of 2020.

KFC targets consumer awareness
KFC China recently launched a “Be Natural, Be You” sustainability campaign to enhance consumers' awareness of environmental protection and encourage more sustainable lifestyles, including reducing the use of disposable plastic packaging and better waste sorting.

This month, all KFC restaurants in mainland China will stop using plastic straws, and over 90 percent of KFC restaurants will replace disposable plastic cutlery with wooden cutlery for dine-in and takeaway.Pizza Hut restaurants in mainland China have eliminated plastic straws.

Also, over 50 percent of KFC restaurants will replace non-degradable plastic bags used for delivery and takeaway with paper bags or biodegradable plastic bags. By the end of 2025, all KFC restaurants will phase out non-degradable plastic bags and cutlery in mainland China.

Pizza Hut eliminates plastic straws
Meanwhile, all Pizza Hut restaurants in mainland China eliminated the use of plastic straws in 2020.

Simultaneously, over 70 percent of Pizza Hut restaurants across the country replaced existing plastic bags with paper bags or biodegradable plastic bags.

Building on these achievements, Pizza Hut says it will eliminate the use of non-degradable plastic bags by the end of 2022.

Disposable packaging reduced at source
In addition to complying with regulatory requirements, these latest actions reflect Yum China's company-wide strategy to reduce disposable packaging from source by adopting new packaging solutions, new materials, and innovative technologies.

The strategy includes ensuring all customer-facing, plastic-based packaging is recyclable, refusing to purchase paper products from suppliers that knowingly cause deforestation, and working toward a 30 percent reduction in non-degradable plastic packaging weight by 2025.

“The new plastic reduction initiatives reinforce our sustainability strategy to drive meaningful change through packaging innovation and reduction,” comments Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. 

“In line with our long-term commitment to supporting economic, social and environmental development, we are committed to working with customers, partners, and all other stakeholders to promote a more sustainable future.”China began phasing out the production of single-use plastic products in 2020.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Replace
Guided by its Sustainability 4R Principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Replace), Yum China has been exploring more eco-friendly materials and designs to reduce disposable packaging from source of use and encouraging public behavioral change.

Since 2017, KFC China has provided a “No Cutlery” option for customers when placing an order via its Super APP to encourage customers to reduce the use of disposable packaging.

Also, KFC China rolled out reusable serving baskets in 2019, saving more than 2,000 tons of paper packaging and reducing restaurant waste in 2019 by approximately 20 percent.

In addition to the reusable serving basket program, KFC China launched the Grassland Restoration Initiative in 2019, encouraging over 200,000 people to support the restoration of more than one million square meters of grassland in Inner Mongolia.

In 2020, Yum China was named the Industry Leader for the Restaurant & Leisure Facilities Industry in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) in recognition of its performance across economic, environmental and social dimensions.

Yum China was also selected as a member of 2020 DJSI World and DJSI Emerging Markets. By making sustainable development an integral part of business operations, Yum China says it is committed to promoting mutually beneficial stakeholder relationships that enhance its long-term value.Burger King’s reusable sandwich container and beverage cup.

Fast-food explores reusability
Similar to KFC China’s reusable serving baskets, McDonald’s is testing a new reusable cup model for hot beverages in partnership with TerraCycle’s zero-waste packaging platform, Loop.

The initiative is initially trialing in 2021 across select UK McDonald’s restaurants, allowing customers to reduce waste by choosing a durable Loop cup for a small deposit. 

The deposit can be redeemed by returning the cup to participating McDonald’s restaurants, where it is safely washed and reused.

Meanwhile, Burger King is also working with Loop by offering restaurant guests the option to order brand staples like the Whopper sandwich, soft drinks or coffee in reusable sandwich containers or beverage cups.

Starting in 2021, select Burger King restaurants in the US cities of New York City and Portland, and Tokyo, Japan, are among the first to implement the model. More cities are expected to be added in the coming months.

As with the McDonald’s project, participating Burger King restaurants will feature a collection system encouraging guests to return the packaging for cleaning and reuse.

Those who opt for the reusable packaging are charged a deposit at the time of purchase and receive a refund when the packaging is returned.

By Joshua Poole

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