McDonald's customers blast 'flimsy' paper straws that 'dissolve' in drinks as 30,000 sign a petition to bring back plastic
McDonald's has divided British customers after swapping plastic straws for paper in a number of branches.
The fast-food chain is gradually making the switch from plastic to paper in across their 1,361 restaurants in the UK and Ireland after facing pressure from environmentalists to become more eco-friendly.
However the new straws have left customers disappointed, with many taking to Twitter to express their frustration at the quality, saying they 'dissolve' in drinks.
Customers across the UK and Ireland have slammed McDonald's decision to swap plastic straws for an eco-friendly paper alternative
Over 30,000 fans of the fast-food chain have signed a petition requesting the return of plastic straws across all 1,361 restaurants
Customer Martin Reed even created a petition demanding for McDonald's to bring back plastic straws which has received over 30,000 signatures.
A stream of social media users have blasted McDonald's paper straws claiming that they dissolve before a drink can be finished.
Calling for the return of plastic straws, some customers have even suggested boycotting the fast-food provider until their demands are met.
Writing on Twitter one person said: 'I agree with the plastic straws being scrapped, yet also agree with comments on the paper straws being useless for milkshakes, which is the only drink I get from McDonald's. The paper straws collapse before your halfway through the drink'
Another wrote: 'All for McDonald's paper straws but they could make them a bit stronger yano, act like a *** bath bomb in my coke'
A third added: 'PurpleDon2973 this is what I was telling you about the other day! I couldn't drink my shake at all, the straw dissolved before the shake was melted enough to suck! @McDonaldsUK'
McDonald's first revealed that they would be changing their straws to meet demands from environmentally conscious customers last June (file image)
A flood of Twitter users have claimed the new paper straws dissolve before they're able to finish their milkshake
Following the news of the petition many people have taken to the online platform to slam those who are campaigning for the return of plastic.
A user speaking under the handle 'Gigglechops74' declared that those asking for the return of plastic show a lack of care about the environment.
She wrote: 'People are being blown up stabbed + murdered but McDonald's fans have more important problems... hating paper straws + wanting plastic ones back which damage environment + kill nature... but as long as your pathetic issues are addressed huh? This world is doomed!'
Another said: 'Absolutely loving how much everyone is starting to care about the environment, but then there's those ***** that are signing petitions for McDonald's to bring back plastic straws, just drink from the cup if you don't want to use a paper straw?'
A number of social media users have slammed those complaining about the new straws, arguing that they should drink straight from the cup if they're unhappy
Chief executive of McDonald's UK and Ireland Paul Pomroy, previously revealed that the restaurant's decision to introduce paper straws is the result of requests from customers.
Speaking in June last year he said: 'Reflecting the broader public debate, our customers told us they wanted to see a move on straws but to do so without compromising their overall experience when visiting our restaurants.
'Over the past few months we've been working closely with supplier partners to find a solution that works both for our customers, and that the supply is there given the size of our business.'
A representative of McDonald's UK replied to a number of social media users who've voiced their hate of the paper straws revealing that the restaurant is working on an alternative.
'...We completely understand your concerns and can reassure you that whilst paper straws will be introduced to all restaurants, we'll be working on retaining an alternative option for those that require one.'
A spokesperson for McDonald's told Mail Online: 'Our suppliers have made us paper straws that last at least 30 minutes in most, if not all liquids. They were introduced following customer feedback, and we are pleased to be doing the right thing in removing plastic from our restaurants and taking significant steps to reduce our environmental impact.'
Others questioned McDonald's decision to change the straws to paper while keeping the lids of cups plastic
McDonald's customers blast 'flimsy' paper straws that 'dissolve' in drinks as 30,000 sign a petition to bring back plastic
![McDonald's customers blast 'flimsy' paper straws that 'dissolve' in drinks as 30,000 sign a petition to bring back plastic]()
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April 24, 2019
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