McDonald’s is taking the unusual step of paying customers a premium to return Shrek drinking glasses that it has recalled because of concerns that cadmium used in the paint on the glasses could come off on children’s hands.

The company will pay customers $3 for every glass they return. The company had been selling the glasses for $1.99 with a food purchase and $2.49 without food. It announced on Friday that it was recalling millions of the glasses, which are painted with characters from the movie “Shrek Forever After.”

“It’s highly unusual to see a company that executes a recall pay any premium over the regular purchase price,” said Don Mays, senior director of product safety for Consumer Reports. He said that only 10 to 30 percent of consumers responded in a typical recall.

“If you offer a premium, it’s more apt to get consumers to respond to a recall and helps to get those unsafe products out of somebody’s home,” Mr. Mays said.