California bans the use of straws 0:56
New York (CNN) --
Like the McRib, straws may soon be a thing of the past at McDonald's.
The chain began testing strawless lids in select US cities as part of a multi-year effort to make its packaging more environmentally friendly.
"These closures help streamline our packaging and eliminate the use of small plastics, just one example of the many solutions we are reviewing as part of our ongoing global commitment to reduce waste," a McDonald's spokesperson said in a statement.
The plastic lids have a tab to prevent the drink from splashing out.
To drink from it, customers have to pull the tab back and fit it into a small opening.
It is similar to the lid on the Starbucks "sipper cup" that has been in use for three years.
McDonald's is testing a lid without a straw. Courtesy of McDonald's
Restaurant Business Online, which first noticed McDonald's new lids, has seen them in test drives in Minneapolis.
According to the report, customers can still ask for a straw if they need one.
In recent years, fast food chains in particular have been trying to find ways to reduce waste and go greener.
Specifically, plastic straws can increase ocean pollution and microplastics that harm marine life.
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This new straw or straw declares war on plastic
McDonald's set a goal in 2018 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its offices and restaurants by 36% between 2015 and 2030. In 2021, the chain swapped out some of its plastic Happy Meal toys for plastic ones. three-dimensional paper that customers can assemble.
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