A Better Clear Cup

Initially, McDonald's USA premium beverages launched in clear plastic cups made of Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate (APET). HAVI Global Solutions identified the strong potential to achieve cost savings and provide positive environmental benefits while maintaining performance and premium product image by transitioning to a plastic material called Clarified Polypropylene (CPP).

The CPP resin, which is more than 30 percent lower density than APET, requires fewer raw materials to make a cup with comparable specification properties. HGS worked with Pactiv and Berry Plastics, two supply chain partners, to develop CPP cups that met performance needs for all sizes. The performance of the new CPP package is at parity with the PET package it replaced. Consumer research conducted prior to launch confirmed that differences between the two packages in appearance and performance were negligible, including sidewall rigidity and clarity.

The CPP package delivers the same consumer experience while improving cost and environmental impacts by using less material. The reduction in the package weight realizes significant savings in the amount of resin used as well as reducing energy in transportation of the raw materials and finished packaging throughout the supply chain. Transition to the CPP package realized significant benefits, including 15  percent cost savings through the reduction in raw material usage and transportation efficiencies, 2.9 million pounds of resin saved annually (based on 2008 annual volumes), and material savings that equate to the prevention of 7,295 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the raw material production process (based on industry available tools) and 20-25 percent post-consumer solid waste reduction.