OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's has launched the 2009 Global Best of Green, a collection of environmental best practices from across the McDonald's System. Consumers and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to cast their eco-vote for their favorite environmental best practice.
More than 80 best practices from numerous McDonald's markets are presented in an electronic book and downloadable formats available on the McDonald's corporate social responsibility Web site. Initiatives for which the company is asking for votes include:
- Innovative software. McDonald's France's use of an interactive software, EcoProgress, to manage and reduce energy usage in the restaurant, achieved an 11 percent savings in electricity for participating restaurants over the same three month period between 2007 and 2006.
- Water conservation. McDonald's Australia has implemented a variety of water conservation measures with impressive results, including extensive landscaping and smart irrigation practices. Advanced stormwater retention tanks can save almost 4 million liters of water over a 20-year period.
- Development of biodiesel. In Brazil, Chile and Argentina, McDonald's has partnered with local organizations that transform used cooking oil into biodiesel. Currently, 270 restaurants in these markets deliver their used oil to be converted into biodiesel, representing more than 1 million liters of oil to date.
- Green design. In August, 2008, McDonald's USA opened its first corporate-owned pilot green restaurant and received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification in April 2009. This "green building lab" in Chicago will help McDonald's USA refine its green building strategy and identify practices that can be incorporated into future restaurants.
- Engaging employees, consumers on climate change. McDonald's Japan participates in the Japanese government's Team Minus 6% program to reduce CO2 emissions by 1 kg per person, per day, by offering a discount to consumers who registered to participate in the program. During the 2007 campaign, McDonald's Japan helped raise the number of participants from 40,000 to 380,000.
In the 2009 Best of Green, McDonald's environmental best practices include:
- Working to reduce energy usage in its restaurants and striving to decrease the impacts of its packaging with new designs and a greater use of recycled materials.
- Finding creative ways to engage its consumers on the environment and exploring strategies to make the designs of restaurants more sustainable.
- Working with suppliers and respected NGOs like Conservation International and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership to foster sustainable fisheries and agriculture around the world.
