Welcome to the wind-powered McDonald’s
McDonald’s has opened the company’s first carbon-free restaurant in the UK. The building is powered by wind turbines and solar panels and is located in Market Drayton, Shropshire.
The building’s cladding was made with recycled IT equipment and housewares, while signs were made with used coffee beans. The restaurant is insulated with sheep’s wool.
The fast food company said it will be used as a “blueprint” for other websites and work has begun on its rollout.
“Net zero” means that the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will not increase.
The new McDonald’s is the first restaurant in the UK to be verified as net zero emissions for construction under the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Building Framework.
McDonald’s and other fast food companies had previously come under fire for their carbon footprint
PICTURE SOURCE – PA MEDIA
The problems of decarbonising the construction industry are “complex”, but the move by McDonald’s is a “critical first step,” said UKGBC spokesman Simon McWhirter.
“We have already started rolling out some of these innovations in other restaurants, but the exciting thing about Market Drayton is the fact that it will serve as a blueprint for our future new builds,” said McDonald’s spokeswoman Beth Hart.
“We believe that our food must be served in restaurants that are sustainable. Market Drayton is a huge step towards making that happen. ”Put simply
Senior Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability at Keele University, Dr. Sharon George said the move is a “positive step” and a sign that the company has recognized that “society’s view of sustainability” is changing.
McDonald’s and other fast food suppliers had previously come under fire from investors who signed a letter urging companies to reduce the carbon footprint of their meat and dairy supply chains.
According to the company, it has set strict climate targets for suppliers. This move towards a greener future for the fast food brand should send a shock wave across the community.
The Welcome to Wind-Powered McDonald’s article first appeared on the World Branding Forum.
