KFC promises recoverable or reusable packaging, but not until 2025

Kentucky Fried Chicken is the latest fast-food company to promise more sustainable packaging options, but it’s going to take them a while.

The fried chicken giant has announced a new global sustainability commitment to make all their plastic-based, consumer-facing packaging recoverable or reusable by 2025.

It’s a goal that support KFC’s long-term plan to implement more sustainable packaging in its restaurants and builds on progress made in some markets to eliminate plastic completely.

"As a global brand that operates more than 22,000 restaurants in over 135 countries, KFC is in a position to have a real impact on how the industry approaches waste and packaging management overall," said Tony Lowings, CEO of KFC.

"With environmental sustainability as a core aspect of how we do business, this commitment represents a public acknowledgement of the obligation we have to address these serious issues."

KFC has developed a roadmap to help them meet their goals, which includes partnering with major suppliers and franchisees around the globe to identify plastic alternatives.

An audit of the chain’s current systems will also be conducted with hopes of identifying plastic waste reduction opportunities.

Nivera Wallani, president and GM of KFC Canada, says the company’s Canadian locations are “proud to participate in this global sustainability journey.”

Not only will KFC Canada be a part of the international efforts to be 100% recoverable or reusable packaging by 2025, while also trying to identify more solutions to further reduce environmental impact.