McDonald's

McDonald’s UK’s Paper Straws Cannot Be Recycled, Plastic Straws Can | Eater London

"Starting in 2018 the chain phased out plastic straws in favor of paper ones, a move that sparked customer backlash when the initial paper straws proved too flimsy for milkshakes — people petitioned, resold plastic straws online, and the change was criticized for patent discrimination against disabled diners. The company later released a thicker "Paper Straw 2.0" to address sturdiness, but that version cannot actually be recycled because it's too thick for waste-processing systems and therefore must be disposed of; the company says such waste is used to generate energy and will degrade over time while plastic lingers. Commentators have highlighted the oddity that investors can pour millions into plant-based meat alternatives while truly environmentally friendly, mass-market packaging still fails at basic recyclability." - James Hansen