nuSep 4, 2026, 08:01

Inspectorate threatens McDonald's with multi-million euro fine over disposable cups

The Dutch Inspectorate has ordered McDonald's to stop using disposable cups for dine-in customers by January 2027 or face weekly fines of 625,000 euros. The company has agreed to switch back to reusable cups, ending a period of non-compliance that resulted in millions of discarded cups annually.

The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has issued a warning to McDonald's regarding its persistent use of disposable cups for dine-in customers, which violates regulations introduced in 2024. Despite initial efforts to implement reusable options, the fast-food chain reverted to disposables, leading to an estimated 80 million discarded cups annually. The ILT has mandated that the company comply with the law by January 5, 2027. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in weekly fines of 625,000 euros, up to a maximum total of 3.75 million euros.

McDonald's has since confirmed it will shift back to reusable cups for dine-in services, citing the need for time to manage logistics and washing capacity. While environmental groups like the Fair Resource Foundation welcome the move, they have criticized the company for its delayed compliance and past lobbying against plastic waste regulations. McDonald's maintains that current rules do not fully align with the operational realities of fast-service restaurants but will comply to avoid the impending financial penalties.

Economy Business Culture Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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