Cross-industry collaboration accelerates supply chain sustainability, as proven by the relationship between International Paper (IP) and McDonald's U.S.
"We can have Rainforest Alliance Certified espresso, we can have great sustainability programs in our coffee supply chain," said Townsend Bailey, director of supply chain sustainability at McDonald's U.S. "But if we serve it to our customers in a foam cup, they won't believe it."
The company turned to IP, a "company who transforms renewable resources into products that people depend on everyday," according to Sophie Beckham, IP manager of natural capital stewardship. Through the partnership, they were able to source deforestation-free fiber to supply coffee cups for McDonald's 14,000 restaurants in the U.S.
