KFC Commits to Using 100 Percent Renewable, Recyclable Plastic By 2025

KFC took a huge step in lessening its environmental impact Thursday by pledging to eliminate non-recoverable or non-reusable plastic-based packaging from its global supply chain by 2025, according to an article in Nation’s Restaurant News.

The commitment encompasses consumer-facing packaging like container lids, plastic bags, straws and cutlery, according to the article. KFC said it plans to work with all of its suppliers and franchisees worldwide to identify plastic alternatives in each market and franchisees will have the chance to create their own market-specific sustainable packaging agenda.

“As a global brand that operates more than 22,000 restaurants in over 135 countries, KFC is in a position to have a real impact on how the industry approaches waste and packaging management overall," KFC CEO Tony Lowings said in a statement included in the article. “With environmental sustainability as a core aspect of how we do business,” he said, “this commitment represents a public acknowledgement [sic] of the obligation we have to address these serious issues.”