Thousands of disgruntled McDonald’s customers have signed a petition demanding the return of plastic straws, amid claims that the eco-conscious paper alternatives are “dissolving” into milkshakes.
The petition is just shy of its 35,000-signature target, with around 34,000 people having signed it by Wednesday morning.
But it has received backlash of its own, with social media users asking those complaining about the straws to “get a grip”.
One Twitter user wrote: “I care very much about saving the planet but sometimes I feel like it might be for the best for the world to end because it’ll wipe out people like the 30,000+ who are demanding McDonald’s to bring back plastic straws because they’re ever so upset over paper straws”
Another tweeted: “Mcdonald’s in the UK alone uses 1.8 MILLION!!!! straws per day, so next time ur moaning about ur soggy paper straw get a GRIP and be thankful none of those straws will be left to destroy our planet for the next 400 odd years :)).”
“If you’re a person moaning about a paper straw from McDonalds, to the extent you’ve signed a petition, you’re an utter prick! There’s worst shit going on in the world than a bit of trouble sucking up a milkshake!” another said.
“Our suppliers have made us paper straws that last at least 30 minutes in most, if not all liquids”
- McDonalds
The paper straws were brought in by the fast food giant in a bid to curb its plastic pollution, and are made using paper from certified sources, including the Forest Stewardship Council.
The phased rollout across more than 1,300 UK branches began in September following “positive customer feedback”, and will be completed this year.
The firm, which says it serves millions of customers daily, told HuffPost UK: “Our suppliers have made us paper straws that last at least 30 minutes in most, if not all liquids.
“They were introduced following customer feedback, and we are pleased to be doing the right thing in removing plastic from our restaurants and taking significant steps to reduce our environmental impact.”
Yet unimpressed customers airing their grievances about the move wrote on the petition page, hosted by 38 Degrees: “Horrible. I can just taste paper”.
One person wrote: “Absolutely useless, they get soggy and end up giving off a cardboard taste to the drink you have, no point in having a paper straw with a plastic lid, much rather have a paper lid and a plastic straw.”
Another suggested biodegradable straws made from natural products, adding: “I personally hate the paper straws as they leave a weird film on my teeth.”
Campaign creator Martin Reed said he wanted rid of the “waste of time” paper straws, so that he could “drink my milkshake proper”.
A few other unhappy customers shared their complaints on social media.
“Can @McDonalds send me the instructions for how to drink a milkshake with a paper straw. Thanks in advance,” wrote Adam Swanick.
Joe Gomez tweeted: “Yo @McDonaldsUK how I meant to drink my milkshake outta this lmao. Stop with the paper straws…”.
In a response to Gomez, the company said that they will be working on an alternative “for those that require one”.
One Twitter user said she could not use paper straws due to “sensory issues”.
“The McDonalds near me swapped to paper straws. I literally can’t use paper straws due to sensory issues (they feel too rough and stick to my lips which makes me vv uncomfortable and can set off anxiety and other stuff) so uhhh that’s fucking fun.
“Not to mention there are people who can’t use paper straws for even more severe reasons such as choking or worse.”
The firm said its plastic straws were made using 100% recyclable materials.