Tim Hortons tests new, plastic-free lids that could be coming to Canada

Testing starts this week on a new, plastic-free lid that could soon come to Tim Hortons across Canada.

Tim Hortons restaurants across Prince Edward Island begin a 12-week test of plastic-free, fibre hot beverage lids this week, according to a press release from Tim Hotons.

The new lids are part of the restaurant’s efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

The goal of the trial is to work toward developing a guest-friendly alternative to plastic lids that are easier to compost or recycle, while still providing a great drinking experience, the release states.

The company has worked hard to develop a fibre lid that feels like the current, plastic lids, said Paul Yang, senior director of procurement, sustainability and packaging for Tim Hortons.

“We’re excited to ask Islanders to help us test this new, plastic-free and recyclable lid for Tim Hortons hot beverage cup,” said Yang.

“We’ve worked hard on developing a fibre lid that feels like our current lids but is plastic-free,” Yang added. “These fibre lids are part of our five-year journey to develop more sustainable solutions for all our packaging and we’re excited to have our guests in Prince Edward Island join us in this test.”

The new lid is an improved version of an earlier lid that was trialed in select Tim Hortons restaurants across Vancouver in early 2023 and helped reduce the use of more than 3.3 million plastic lids.

Over the past year, Tim Hortons introduced several, new packaging items to help reduce the use of single-use plastics, including wooden and fibre cutlery, and fibre lids on Loaded Bowls.

For more information see the Tim Hortons website.