McDonald's said its foam products would be phased out by the end of 2018, after moving from foam appliances to paper cups a few years ago.

A shareholder rights group, As You Sow, which is concerned about the environment, recently resubmitted a resolution requiring McDonald's to assess the impact of EPS use. A similar proposal received nearly a third of shareholders'support last year.

The fast-food giant, which has faced opposition from shareholder advocacy groups, announced it would stop using polystyrene materials worldwide.

The annual general meeting is about to be held, and McDonald's is now working on this problem.

McDonald's EPS resolution was launched in the context of a wider debate, and the use of these materials was discussed by the municipal authorities.

Supporters insist that EPS is indeed "recyclable." But opponents argue that the reality is that the material is difficult to handle and cannot be recycled on a large scale.

Unlike rigid PS, EPS is made up of about 98% air. Compared with other plastics, it is lightweight and small in size.

Dart Container has been a big advocate of EPS packaging and its recyclability.

Dart has also established "EPS recycling facilities" outlets throughout the country.

McDonald's said on the company's website, "the impact of packaging on the environment is at the top."

McDonald's said: "We also plan to phase out our global foam packages by the end of 2018. In our packages, about 2% by weight is now foam, and we believe this small step is important in our development. These actions represent success and will bring our systems and industries to a new level."

Conrad MacKerron has been supporting As You Sow asking McDonald's to abandon the decision to use EPS.

"This is an important signal to other fast food companies that may still be using foam. We also hope that McDonald's will turn its attention to other disposable items, such as plastic straws and cup caps, which are harmful to marine animals and increase the amount of plastic waste in the world's oceans," he said in a statement.

Although the advantages of using EPS have been debated for many years, only recently have some people raised the question of using plastic straws.

Actam, who calls himself a "responsible fund and asset management company," and JLens, a Jewish investor network, will also submit early shareholder proposals with As You Sow, which said it would withdraw.