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There are 5 questions about “Litter” in the “How do you operate?” topic.

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1. Hi, Please could you tell me what steps McDonalds take to combat litter left by people who buy your takeaways? I get so annoyed by the amount of rubbish that I see laying at the side of the road. I have to say that the majority of the litter is Mcdonalds boxes and cups and even whole Mcdonalds bags full of rubbish which people have just thrown out of the window. I would be extremely interested to see your policy on this huge problem. Regards, Fran
McDonald’s Environmental Policy is communicated to all its employees and suppliers, and forms the basis for setting environmental improvement objectives. McDonald’s policy states that the company aims to address the environmental impacts of Restaurant Operations – focusing on restaurant processes to: minimise impacts associated with odour, noise, effluent and emissions to the atmosphere. Specifically, McDonald’s runs an extensive litter management programme that aims to control litter around the restaurants, and also to educate and inform customers and the wider community about the importance of environmental protection. McDonald's was the first restaurant to introduce 'Litter Patrols' in the UK, in which each restaurant conducts at least three daily litter patrols. Members of staff will go out and pick up not only McDonald's packaging, but also any other litter that has been carelessly discarded. Litter bins are provided outside all McDonald’s restaurants and the company is one of the biggest sponsors of council provided bins in the country. All McDonald’s packaging carries an anti-littering symbol supported by signage in restaurants and car parks. Further information on McDonald’s specific environmental programmes is available from www.mcdonalds.co.uk in the 'Good Works' section, under 'Our Environment.'

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2. I have an office near a Macdonalds and have to put up with seeing loads and loads of rubbish everyday. Isn't time Macdonalds started to educate people not to chuck their Macdonalds food bags and cups at of their car windows?
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. 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. Regarding your question, McDonald's is aware that the areas surrounding its restaurants can be prone to littering. All of the packaging asks customers to dispose of their waste responsibly and bins are provided by the company. In addition, the company has 'Litter Patrols' in each restaurant to deal with the issue on a daily basis as well as an annual anti-littering campaign when members of staff work with their communities to tidy up particular problem areas. That said, the issue obviously still remains, and McDonald's will continue to work with local communities and authorities to improve the situation.

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3. Please could you tell me why all the rubbish that is strewn along the A14 and the immediate surrounding area is mysteriously marked with the McDonald's logo? Is there a conspiracy to monopolise on rubbish?
McDonald's is aware that the areas surrounding a restaurant can be prone to excess littering and that's why it has an extensive litter management programme in place in each restaurant through its 'Litter Patrols'; teams of staff who deal with all litter that's been carelessly discarded. All packaging carry messages that ask customers to dispose of waste responsibly. Litterbins are provided outside all McDonald's restaurants and the company is one of the biggest sponsors of council-provided litterbins in the country. McDonald's was not aware that there was a specific issue around the A14 and will look into this. (June 2007)

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4. why does 80% of the litter around east cleveland have McDonalds name on it ? Although they have closed 1 of their 2 restaurants, the amount of their litter hasnt changed.
Thanks for your idea. McDonald’s has litter bins outside all restaurants and is also one of the biggest sponsors of council-provided litter bins in the UK. McDonald’s also has a commitment to local communities to tackle litter and has a company policy to conduct daily litter patrols where members of staff go out and pick up McDonald’s packaging as well as any other litter that has been thrown away. If there is a problem in any particular area with litter please raise this issue with the manager of your local McDonald’s restaurant.

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5. What is McDonald's policy on cleaning up litter in the areas around their shops?
McDonald's has an extensive litter management programme that aims to control litter around the restaurants, and also to educate and inform customers and the wider community about the importance of environmental protection. McDonald's was the first restaurant to introduce 'Litter Patrols' in the UK, in which each restaurant conducts at least three daily litter patrols whereby members of staff will go out and pick up not only McDonald's packaging, but also any other litter that has been carelessly discarded. Litterbins are provided outside all McDonald’s restaurants and the company is one of the biggest sponsors of council provided litterbins in the country.

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