French fast-food chains are preparing for one of their biggest changes in decades as the government bans the use of disposable plates, cups, and cutlery when eating or drinking on-site. Starting New Year's Day, chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, and Subway are facing what environmentalists are calling a "revolution" as France begins groundbreaking new measures to combat waste. Much of the fast-food industry relies on a business model based on single-use boxes, cups, and packaging that customers simply dump from their trays into the trash after eating. Under the new regulations, any restaurant with more than 20 seats—including employee cafeterias, chain bakeries, fast-food restaurants, and sushi bars—must provide reusable, washable cups, plates, and cutlery to customers dining inside. France's approximately 30,000 fast-food restaurants serve six billion meals annually, generating an estimated 180,000 tons of waste. Environmental groups say 55% of this waste is generated by customers dining inside. The law only applies to cutlery used by customers dining inside; anyone taking food to-go, such as McDonald's, will continue to receive disposable packaging. But environmental groups hope that disposable takeaway packaging will also change in the future, for example, customers can leave a deposit for reusable packaging and return it. The new law means that burgers and sandwiches eaten in can no longer be packed in boxes, but can continue to be wrapped in paper. All other food - including chips, chicken nuggets, pizza, ice cream or cake - must be served in reusable cutlery, and drinks must be served in reusable cups and
