KFC Canada to remove plastic straws and bags from restaurants by October

KFC Canada says it will stop using plastic straws and bags at restaurant locations across the country by October 2019.

The fast food retailer announced Tuesday that it is launching a series of sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing the company’s use of plastic products, beginning with the removal of plastic straws and bags. KFC Canada said the move will see 50 million plastic straws and 10 million plastic bags removed from restaurants.

“KFC Canada believes in feeding people, not landfills,” KFC Canada president and general manager Nivera Wallani said in a statement.

“Reducing the volume of single use plastic within our restaurants ensures we are continuing to lessen our environmental footprint.”

KFC announced earlier this year that it would be shifting towards more sustainable packaging, pledging that all of the plastic-based packaging currently used at its restaurants will be made of recoverable or reusable materials by 2025. The company also said it is working on an audit with franchisees to help identify opportunities for plastic waste reduction.

“This critical initiative, and the many more to follow, will enhance the long-term quality of life in the communities we serve,” Shehzad Janmohamed, chief executive of KFC Canada franchise partner Soul Foods Group, said in a statement.

KFC Canada is certainly not the only quick service restaurant launching initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint.

Tim Hortons announced in May that it was introducing a 100 per cent recyclable lid aimed at reducing spills and the company’s carbon footprint. It is also testing other sustainability initiatives, including an improved paper cup and strawless lids for its iced coffees.

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