'Game changing' hack to avoid using paper straws at McDonald's

McDonald’s customers have discovered a trick to avoid using the paper straws that the fast food chain is gradually phasing out to replace plastic straws worldwide.

Disgruntled customers claim the paper straws provided by the Big Mac giants disintegrate faster than they can drink their beverages, changing the taste and leaving a “soggy mess.”

Sharing the ‘hack’ on social media, customers are replacing soft drink lids with plastic lids designed for hot beverages to avoid using the paper straws most UK locations are now using.

McDonald's has introduced plastic straws at some stores. Source: AAP/ PA
McDonald's has introduced plastic straws at some stores. Source: AAP/ PA

According to customers on social media, McDonald’s staff are handing out the coffee lids that fit perfectly on soft drink cups when requested by customers.

Some have pointed out that the ‘hack’ involves using even more plastic than a traditional plastic straw.

Customers are sharing what they’re calling a ‘game changer’ on social media with photos of the lid replacement but claim that drinking the famous thick shakes with a paper straw or the new lid is still near impossible.

In July last year McDonald’s Australia announced plans to phase out the use of plastic straws in their restaurants, trialling the move at two locations before rolling it out country wide by 2020.

The announcement was met with mixed response.

While environmentalists praised the move, some customers claimed it would ruin the taste of their beverages.

A member of the public began a petition in the UK to bring back plastic straws and so far more than 40,000 people have signed the petition.

But a spokesperson for McDonalds told Metro UK the feedback has been positive.

“Our suppliers have made us paper straws that last at least 30 minutes in most, if not all liquids.”

Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

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