Burger King ditches plastic toys
Burger King will no longer give away plastic toys with children's meals at its UK stores, saving approximately 320 tonnes of single-use plastic waste annually.
The public has been invited to return old plastic toys to its restaurants – even if they are not from Burger King – where they will be recycled and later turned into other items.
The scheme comes after two girls from Hampshire petitioned the fast food giant and its rival McDonald's to stop giving away free plastic toys.
Burger King responded by partnering with circular economy company Platonic to transform old toys into new play areas and other everyday restaurant items like trays.
Pentatonic founder, Jamie Hall, said: “Burger King UK is not making a vague gesture, which is so often the case in this sector, instead they are taking significant action.
“Burger King has listened to their audience and is responding in an emphatic way and we are delighted to provide the design and manufacturing technologies to make their bold vision a reality.“
Plastic toy amnesty bins will be installed in every UK restaurant as part of wider commitment to improve sustainability practices.
Those that took part in the initial 'Meltdown' campaign between 19 September and 30 September were also offered a free King Junior meal with the purchase of any adult meal.
Burger King also installed a giant melting toy on the Southbank to symbolise the steps it is taking to reduce single-use plastics.
Katie Evans, marketing director at Burger King UK, said: “It is impossible to ignore the growing problem excessive plastic waste is causing and we are glad to be taking action.
“At Burger King we know we can positively contribute to finding new, more sustainable solutions, long term.
“We're inviting customers to donate their unwanted plastic toys, and working with Pentatonic, we're excited to give them a fresh start.
“We recognised that by replacing them with a more sustainable solution there was an opportunity for us to make a radical change with Meltdown – one of the first of many.“
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