McDonald's aluminum ashtrays were thin, lightweight, disposable foil trays, typically around 3.5 inches square, used in restaurants during the era when indoor smoking was permitted (pre-1990s), often featuring the classic McDonald's logo and a retro 70s/80s design, designed to be cheap, recyclable, and easily tossed after use.

Key Characteristics:

Material: Thin aluminum foil, sometimes described as "aluminum foil-like".

Size: Commonly around 3.5 x 3.5 inches or 4 inches.

Design: Featured the McDonald's branding, often with 70s/80s color schemes (oranges, browns, neon flashes).

Function: Intended as disposable items for table use when smoking was allowed inside restaurants.

Collectability: Now popular as vintage collectibles for retro parties, camping, or nostalgia, despite being designed as disposable items.

Historical Context: These were common at tables when smoking was normal in fast-food restaurants, before bans became widespread (McDonald's banned smoking in owned locations in 1994). They represent a bygone era of fast-food culture, noted for their blend of late-70s and early-80s aesthetics.