Questions answered
There are 29 questions about “Environment” in the “How do you operate?” topic.
Click on a question to read our answer.
- 1. What's the difference between Diesel emmisions and Recycled oil emissions on your delivery Lorries. My teacher has said recycled oil has greater enmmoisions is this correct?
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In one regard your teacher is correct. Depending on the biodiesel blend used, the NOx can rise by up to 10 per cent. However, the really big win is the number of emissions that do show a very big reduction. For example un-burnt hydrocarbon drops by approximately 52 per cent, carbon monoxide by 47 per cent and PM (particulate matter) by 57 per cent, as measured by tailpipe emissions. There are also large CO2 reductions when measured in terms of net life cycle emissions.
(July 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 2. Dear Sirs, Can you please give me a date by which your trials for recycling customer food packaging will have reached firm conclusions? I have read many of the Q & A's on your website so am well aware of your current position and of the challenges you say you face. You recycle about 25% of materials by recycling 'rear of house' cardboard and recycling cooking oil for your vehicles. As an organisation, 25% is low - when can we look forward to something better?
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Firstly, many apologies for the very slow response to your question, as the site went through a few changes and technical updates some questions had slipped through so thank you for your patience in waiting for your answer. Please continue to send in your questions and check back on the site from time to time for all the latest on Make Up Your Own Mind. In regards to your original question, the trial, which has now come to end, is in Sheffield and is now a permanent project which McDonald's is committed to. Specially 11 McDonald's restaurants are sending their waste to an energy from waste facility which is generating energy that is used to heat and power local buildings. This project was so successful for food contaminated waste that McDonald’s are now looking to expand this project to other parts of the country where the facilities exist. Additionally, McDonalds is currently investigating and trialling various different cleansing /separation techniques in regional areas to determine if waste can be diverted from landfill utilising different technologies.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 3. In previous answers you repeat by saying that you do not use "recently deforested" areas. So you DO use them ? How recently deforested do you mean ?
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Firstly many apologies for the slow response to your question, as the site went through a few changes; some questions slipped through the net so thank you for your patience. The UK does not source any Beef that has been reared and produced in Brazil. McDonald's UK uses beef reared on British and Irish farms. Only in exceptional circumstances, when demand is greater than the existing supply, will it look further afield to Europe
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 4. Why should I buy food from your organisation? I have heard you are exploiting workers on a global scale from farmers, right down to the workers in your restaurants. Surely a global multinational like McDonalds is only interested in making a huge profit, at the expense of the environment and public health.
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Firstly McDonald's apologises unreservedly for the late reply to your question. There were some technical problems which caused some questions to slip through.
Regarding your question; the company feels that this is not the case. McDonald's has a close relationship with many of the farmers who supply it - all McDonald's beef, pork, milk and free range eggs come from British and Irish farmers, for example - you may have seen some of them featured on recent tray liners. Further a field, all McDonald's coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified, which ensures the coffee farmers receive support from economic to environmental aspects of their business and livelihoods. Closer to home, McDonald's UK is a recognised Investor in People and is one of 'The Times' top 100 graduate employers. The company doesn’t exploit the people who work for it. In addition, the company is a Gold certified member of 'Race for Opportunity' 'Opportunity Now' 'Employers Forum on Age' and the 'Employers Forum on Disability' all of which serves to illustrate its commitment to fairness, diversity and equality in the workplace. With regard to the environment, McDonald's recognises the need to protect and preserve the environment and has analysed every aspect of business in terms of impact on the environment. As a result of this, environmental action plans have been developed to address these impacts. Further information on McDonald's environmental programmes is available from www.mcdonalds.co.uk in the 'Good Works' section, under 'Our Environment.'
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 5. I've read in the news that you're trialling incineration of your waste to generate energy, because food residues on the packaging prevent it from being recycled at standard recycling mills. But why don't you compost it then? Food residues are ok in compost, and the government says composting is better for the environment than energy recovery.
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Sorry for the slow reply to your question, it seems that your question slipped through and the team apologises for any inconvenience that may have occurred.
McDonald’s aims to treat matters of the environment with care and consideration. With the limited infrastructure in place in the UK, McDonald's currently cannot rely on one technology to divert its waste from landfill. So trials are indeed taking place on a number of alternatives, which include both incineration to energy and alternatives such as composting, and their suitability for the mixed waste that McDonald’s restaurants produce.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 6. What is McDonalds doing to rreduce their carbon footprint?
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Thank you for your question and sorry for our slow response - unfortunately your question seems to have slipped down our records. McDonald's is currently working with The Carbon Trust to find ways to reduce further the energy used in restaurants and at practical sources of renewable energy that might be employed now and in the future. One positive step that has been taken recently is the use of recycled McDonald's oil as a bio-diesel for the whole of the delivery fleet.
There are a number of additional initiatives that are currently being planned and reviewed; you might want to consider signing up for the Keep in Touch newsletter so that you can be informed of any environmental updates on a regular basis. Simply click on the following link http://www.makeupyourownmind.co.uk/keep-in-touch.html for info about staying in touch with all things McDonald's.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 7. No, your response did NOT answer all my points! You failed to reply to ..... Your over wrap EVERYTHING!! I dont need a sandwich in a box in a bag and then on a tray lined with paper!! Your justification? Plastic toys for landfill!! Is this not an irresponsible message to young people and fuelling un necessary consumerism and want??
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McDonald’s believes in reducing the amount of packaging it produces and instructs its staff to ask customers if they would like a bag for their food. With regards to the tray liner, McDonald’s packaging is produced from one source in Europe; therefore each country is unable to print specific messages relating to how it produces its food. For this reason McDonald’s has found that the best way to inform its customers of specific UK information is on its tray liners. McDonald’s UK uses its tray liners to show recent developments in its continued efforts to be a responsible company. For example, McDonald’s UK beef is sourced from the Britain and Ireland, and all the eggs used by McDonald’s UK are free range eggs. Regarding your question on Happy Meal toys, McDonald’s has recognised that it has a responsibility to the environment and has a system in place for used Happy Meal toys. Since the 1st July 2007, members of the public have had the opportunity to deposit their old electrical items for recycling at designated recycling facilities (DCF). McDonald’s have contributed towards a national fund to assist local councils to further develop their existing waste electronics collection facilities. If you would like to take part and would like to locate your local designated electronic recycling facility, please refer to McDonald’s partner website – www.recycle-more.co.uk for your nearest DCF.
(October 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 8. Do you recycle cooking oil from your fryers for use as Bio-Diesel?
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Yes, that's correct. McDonald's is committed to running its entire UK fleet on 100 percent bio-diesel, made from recycled cooking oil from restaurants, combined with a limited amount of rapeseed oil. A third of the fleet has already been converted. The carbon saving of the move will be 1,675 tonnes annually when the national rollout is completed - the equivalent of removing 2,424 family cars from the road each year.
(August 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 9. How much energy does it take to produce an average Burger and Fries Meal? What is the ratio of energy to produce transport food stuff and its calorific value? How much C02 does your company produce in a year? Do you have any plans to reduce your production of C02 and Green house Gases. Do all your workers have union rights,union recognition and access to union representation in line with International Labour agreements and best practise?
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McDonald’s has not undertaken an assessment of the food miles for each individual menu item. However, the company is proud to source ingredients locally wherever possible, and uses beef from Britain and Ireland exclusively at most times. McDonald’s also does not currently measure our CO2 emissions. However, the company is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with product distribution and is constantly looking for ways to reduce fleet mileage and fuel consumption by using composite vehicles capable of carrying chilled, frozen and ambient cargoes, and by streamlining deliveries. McDonald's is also currently running a trial with its logistics company to use bio-diesel in distribution vehicles. Regarding unions, McDonald’s has no objection to anyone joining a trade union. In fact, McDonald’s understands that many employees are already trade union members.
DECEMBER '07 UPDATE: McDonald's French Fries are now fully accredited by the Vegetarian Society. (December 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 10. I have eaten in your resaurants in places as far flung as Taiwan, China and NZ. All the branches I have visited in the UK lack even basic recycling.This is extrordinary! a restaurant that produces many millions of tons of waste, not just in packaging, but also in energy, transport costs and farming/production waste. China was a 3rd world country just a few years ago, but even they thought recycling was important. So why dont you ?
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McDonald's takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and is committed to implementing changes to the way it conducts its business that will have tangible positive impact, rather than chasing headlines. A quarter of all its waste through its restaurants is recycled. By the end of 2008, the company's entire UK delivery fleet will be running on biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil combined with a limited amount of rapeseed oil: this will be the equivalent of removing 2 424 family cars from the road each year. A waste auditing programmme is also in hand which will include trialing recycling customer food packaging. (The food residue on the packaging means that a bespoke solution needs to be found; one that doesn't have an even greater impact on the environment than the problem itself.) All bags, trayliners and cup carriers are made from 100 per cent recycled paper and the packaging for food items from 72 percent recycled paper: the latter must also comply with food hygiene and safety regulations. In 11 restaurants in Sheffield, McDonald's is also trialing methods to convert waste material into energy which in turn powers and heats local buildings. Additionally, the company is working with The Carbon Trust to implement ways to reduce the energy used across all its estate and introduce renewable energy. Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on and the company remains committed to finding the best possible solutions. (October 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 11. Did you know that if you are using Biodiesel you need to mix it occasionaly with ordinary Diesel, which has a lubricating function of the fuel injection system. Mike
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During McDonald's development and research process, lubrication was a consideration for the reliable operation of McDonald's transport fleet. The company works closely with the fuel manufacturers and the vehicle suppliers to ensure that the company maintains high reliability levels and meets all the manufacturers’ requirements.
(October 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 12. i am a mcdonalds employee and i would like to know actually how many of our delivery trucks use bio-diesel and if so where are they manily based and if any deliver to west midland stores
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Thanks for your interest in this exciting new venture. Currently the entire fleet at the McDonald's Basingstoke distribution centre is running on biodiesel. This is approximately one third of the fleet; work is underway to convert the rest.
(September 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 13. How would you like to solve a huge part of your current problem with regard to packaging and waste.I would like the oportunity to meet someone senior to discuss a radical new eco friendly packaging product that is NATURAL, made from a waste product, totally Biodegradable. It can then easily be composted once used adding a healthy contribution to the soil within 6-10 weeks, but is strong with a long shelf life. It is sustainable, Non-Toxic, Chemical free, waterproof, greaseproof, microwavable.
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Thank you for posting. McDonald's is always exploring new technologies and is continuously looking for ways to reduce its packaging, introducing renewable alternatives where possible. For example, our stirrers used to be made from plastic and are now made from wood. Any new packaging alternative needs to meet strict quality, hygiene and safety standards. The McDonald's UK Environment Manager would be able to put you in touch with the relevant senior packaging representatives that would be able to decide how suited your eco-friendly packaging would be to McDonald's. Please use the 'Contact Us' link at www.mcdonalds.co.uk to email your suggestions.
(October 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 14. Hello McDonald's!! I'm from Germany but i recently read something about your new enviromental and social initiatives in the internet! Before I ask you a question, i really welcome your commitment to the society!! The artical I read said that you turn your spent cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. My question is if there are already such initiatives started in Germany and if yes, i would be delighted if you can give me closer information. In anticipation of your reply i remain. Yours Leo Kaatsch
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Thanks for your comments and questions. However, this website has been set-up to deal with questions regarding the UK and therefore cannot comment on McDonald's in other countries. Please visit www.mcdonalds.com for more information.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 15. is the cod in the filet o fish from sustainable fishing sources?
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McDonald's currently use 100 percent Hoki - not cod - in the Filet-o-Fish and Fish Fingers, which is sourced from Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries. At the moment, this comes from the seas around New Zealand.
NOVEMBER 07 UPDATE:
From mid November 2007, McDonald's Filet-o-Fish will be prepared using Alaskan Pollock fish, which is sourced from Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries. Fish Fingers will continue to be made from Hoki, also sourced from Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries.
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