Fast food giant McDonald’s has announced its plans to reduce the number of plastic straws used in its 167 restaurants across the country.

The fast food retailer added it will also trial fibre-based straws in all its stores.

McDonald’s New Zealand will transition to straws on request only starting October 17, 2018 in an effort to explore viable sustainable alternatives. The trial of fibre-based straws will begin in several markets before the end of 2018.

Three McDonald’s restaurants Orewa, Havelock North and Queenstown will be trialling the new fibre-based straw by the end of the year. The trial serves to monitor the performance of the straws and gather customer feedback.

The retailer said the reduction in use of plastic straws supports its global “Scale for Good” commitment to only use guest packaging made 100 per cent from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025, and to recycle guest packaging in 100 per cent of McDonald’s restaurants globally.

While recycling infrastructure, regulations and consumer behaviours vary, McDonald’s plans to be part of the solution and help influence powerful change.

“With our scale, McDonald’s has a responsibility to look after the environment, and although the straw itself is just one type of packaging we need to consider, it’s a great start and something our customers told us they wanted to support,” McDonald’s New Zealand managing director David Howse said.

In February, a trial to reduce plastic straw use was well received and supported by customers of McDonald’s Taupo, resulting in a 10 per cent reduction in straw usage each month. Tests of straw alternatives are also being rolled out in other countries across Europe and the US.