KFC will no longer use plastic straws by July 1st

Retail 24 June 2019

KFC South Africa announced at an event at the Origins Centre at Wits University that it will remove plastic straws in over 900 restaurants across the coutry.

The announcement forms part of a new global sustainability commitment from the business that all plastic-based packaging items will be recoverable or reusable by 2025.

It also forms part of KFC’s long-term plan to implement a more sustainable packaging strategy in its restaurants.

Thabisa Mkhwanazi, KFC Africa's public affairs director said in a statement: "As a global brand that operates in 900 restaurants in South Africa, KFC can have a real impact on how the industry approaches single-use packaging."

"With environmental sustainability as a core aspect of how we do business, this commitment represents a public acknowledgement of the start of our journey as KFC to address these issues to have a positive effect on our environment. In South Africa we have secured a local supplier for our paper straws, stimulating local business, and economies."

Mkhwanazi further stated, “Additionally, while we are aware that KFC joins an already existing global war on plastic, but as a fast food giant, we are doubly aware of the sheer scale of our business to be able to profoundly impact the narrative on plastic.”

Written by: Gabriella Steyn.

Guzzle Media