Global Best of Green

We know that you care about the environment, and at McDonald’s, we do too. Like any global company, we use our share of resources and we understand the effects this can have around the world. We also know that environmental responsibility is not just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do for our business.

Across the company, our employees, franchisees and suppliers are finding innovative ways to reduce our impact to the environment -- whether it’s through the use of recycled materials in our packaging or green restaurants with lower levels of energy and water consumption.

McDonald’s 2009 Best of Green highlights some of our most successful green initiatives around the globe including:

•  Brazil, Chile and Argentina’s relationship with local organizations to transform used cooking oil into biodiesel – reducing the need for new natural resources while cutting down on pollution.

• Australia’s implementation of a variety of water conservation technologies in the restaurants as well as landscaping with native plants and water conservation through smart irrigation practices.

• Europe’s first hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) free restaurant in Demark that uses natural refrigerants and consumes about 12 percent less energy than average restaurants.

• McDonald’s USA’s use of fewer materials to produce our packaging. Changes made to our 42 oz. cups alone have resulted in 346 tons of resin saved since last year.

These are just some of the many ways we are working to make a difference in the issues that matter most to our business, our communities, and most important – you.