Since January 1, a ban on disposable tableware when eating in fast food restaurants has been in force in France. That’s why McDonald’s introduced plastic chip cones, sauce cups and other reusable tableware. But the iconic design of the packaging is so popular that some customers just take it with them. This is reported by the daily newspaper ‘Le Parisien’.
Not only the cardboard packaging for fries and other snacks has disappeared in the French branches of McDonald’s, drinks are now served in a glass. The ‘Happy Meal’ boxes are also made from reusable plastic. Salads and sauces are also put in dishes that are simply washed in special dishwashers after the meal.
However, in just four days, several of the chain’s restaurants have fallen victim to theft of the new reusable tableware, according to the daily newspaper ‘Le Parisien’. “We see that crockery is disappearing. But the costs are not exorbitant, as for traditional restaurants”. So says Benejamin Peri, the founder of the company Pyxo, which supplies the packaging.
He does note, however, that it is difficult to distinguish between “intentional theft, clumsiness and forgetfulness”. For example, some customers are used to having their drink after a meal, and may unknowingly take the new cup with them.
Anti-theft chip?
It is not known exactly how big the problem is, McDonald’s in France does not make any statements about this. Peri also thinks it is “too early” for that. The situation also differs per location, according to the founder of Pyxo. It is also suspected that the problem will diminish over time once customers get used to the new tableware.
Stolen crockery recovery brigade, open up! You are surrounded!
To put a stop to the phenomenon, McDonald’s is urging operators to raise awareness among both staff and customers. For example, posters have been put up in various branches warning consumers that cutlery, cups and plates must be handed in before they leave the restaurant.
Others go further. “Our tableware is equipped with geolocation chips. You explain it to the 17 (the local police, editor’s note)”, can be read on one of the posters. In reality, the packaging is only equipped with an RFID chip, which allows the restaurateur to keep track of how much tableware is still in the house.
The theft has not gone unnoticed among internet users, who are enjoying the news. “Woke up at 6 am by the BRI (police investigation and intervention brigade) to return a plastic cup from McDonald’s,” one of them jokes on the forum of the site jeuxvidéo.com. “Recovery brigade stolen crockery, open up! You are surrounded”, another outbids.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.