Dining In, But Still "To Go"? Does McDonald's Forest Stewardship Council Eco-Packaging Undermine Consumers' Green Consumption Rights?

There's something quite amusing about a McDonald's breakfast shop in Beijing. Because of my work location, I often order from this particular store, and when I place my order, I choose the "dine-in" option (as shown in the picture).

In theory, since I'm dining in, there shouldn't be any packaging involved; the food should simply be placed on a tray, ready for me to eat. But every time, I'm handed a large paper bag.


This is an interesting phenomenon in the age of "green consumption". Green consumption has become a trend, with businesses relentlessly promoting eco-friendly principles, claiming to contribute to saving the planet. But the approach at this McDonald's in Beijing is rather comical: even though many customers are dining in-store, their food is wrapped in paper, and they end up tearing open the packaging once seated to begin eating.

The funniest part is that when I open the paper bag and sit down to eat, the paper becomes an uninvited "decoration" on my table. What makes it even more ironic is that this paper bag prominently displays the FSC certification mark.

The real twist comes when I saw the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification on the bag. 


FSC sounds like a prestigious certification, doesn't it? It stands for Forest Stewardship Council, which means the raw materials—paper or wood—used in the product come from forests that are independently certified for responsible and sustainable management. It sounds very eco-friendly, and indeed, it is a good thing. But here’s the problem: as a dine-in customer, I don’t need any packaging at all. So why am I being handed this "eco-friendly" paper bag? Even more bizarre, once I’ve used it, it’s tossed into the trash, making the idea of sustainability seem rather laughable.

This is the curious phenomenon of the so-called "green consumption" era. A customer who doesn’t need packaging is given one, and told that this packaging is "sustainable". First, it’s wrapped up and handed to the customer, then they sit down, tear open the packaging, and throw it away after use.

From the perspective of industrial civilization, McDonald's, as a fast-food chain, is indeed pursuing efficiency by standardizing all breakfasts into paper bags. Yes, this approach streamlines operations, allowing employees to complete orders quickly and efficiently. Whether the customer needs packaging or not, it saves time and energy, improving overall operational efficiency. In industrial-scale production, standardization and batch processing reduce the complexity of individualized demands, enabling the restaurant to quickly serve large numbers of customers during peak hours. However, this "standardized" approach ignores the consumer's right to green consumption, leading to wasteful resource use and unnecessary packaging, which contradicts the spirit of green development in today's world.


Given the growing strain on resources and the environment, we’ve reached the "ceiling" of Earth's ecological carrying capacity. Overconsumption and waste not only exacerbate the depletion of natural resources but also intensify environmental pollution and ecological imbalance. Even seemingly minor waste, like unnecessary packaging, accumulates over time and burdens the environment.

Therefore, I hope businesses will respect consumers' "green consumption rights" and take green consumption laws and regulations seriously.

Let's not let "green" become just another form of "greenwashing".

I also hope that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) not only focuses on giving certification but also holds certified businesses accountable, ensuring they truly prioritize eco-friendly packaging and avoid unnecessary waste, rather than using FSC as a form of "greenwashing".

(Please note that this article, received by CBCGDF Media on December 26, 2024, is a submission from a consumer. The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the opinions of CBCGDF.)


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Writer: Yihang

Editor: Richard

 

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