McDonald's ditching disposable cups for dine-in customers, but only in one country

McDonald's customers in the Netherlands will soon see a major change when they sit down for a meal, with the fast food giant being forced to ditch disposable cups for dine-in orders. The change comes after Dutch regulators cracked down on McDonald's over its use of single-use plastic cups. The chain hands out an estimated 175 million cups every year in the country, around half of which are used inside its restaurants. McDonald's now has until January 5 to fully make the switch or risk fines that could climb as high as $4.3 million. Article continues after ad McDonald's ordered to ditch disposable cups The Netherlands' Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) says McDonald's has been violating national rules by giving dine-in customers disposable plastic cups without collecting them and keeping the required records. The issue has reportedly been ongoing since 2024, but regulators stepped up enforcement this year after inspecting 32 McDonald's locations following a request from the Fair Resource Foundation. Article continues after ad 'This is one of the largest restaurant chains in the Netherlands offering food and drinks both on-site and to go. Each year the company hands out 175 million cups, about half of them in its restaurants,' senior inspector Gert van Rootselaar said. Article continues after ad 'If such large quantities of single-use cups are not collected and recycled separately, it harms the environment. That is why it is important McDonald's has now agreed with the ILT to switch to reusable cups.' Google Maps McDonald's has now agreed to only provide reusable cups to customers eating inside its Dutch restaurants beginning next year. If it fails to fully transition by January 5, McDonald's could be fined €625,000 per violation, with the total potentially reaching €3.75 million. Article continues after ad However, McDonald's argues the rules do not fit neatly with how customers actually use its restaurants. 'In our restaurants, on-site consumption and takeaway mix every day,' a spokesperson told ANP. 'Guests who have eaten inside regularly decide to take their drink with them. That is understandable consumer behavior, and that is why until now we have also offered a disposable cup' for those eating on-site. Article continues after ad The company says it is now preparing the 'necessary adjustments' to comply with the rules next year. Article continues after ad The Netherlands isn't the only market where McDonald's has changed how it serves drinks. In November 2025, McDonald's Japan eliminated paper straws from roughly 3,000 restaurants, replacing them with new strawless lids made from recycled plastic bottles. The chain also introduced takeout bags made from 95% plant-based bioplastic as part of the rollout.