Initiatives and Trials

We are always looking for opportunities to improve the sustainability of our business.

New products and practices are being trialed and launched all the time to help minimise the impact of our operations on the environment. In our restaurants, small changes can make a big difference. Recently we reduced the weight of our McFlurry spoon by one third and this small change will save 45 tonnes of plastic per year!

• Low Oil Volume Fry Vats which use less oil and therefore less energy to heat the oil are now used in all new restaurants.
• 25 per cent energy savings are being seen from the use of a new cooking grill which reduces the conventional cooking platform size.
• A range of external restaurant signage now utilises energy efficient LED technology rather than the standard 240V fluorescent lamps resulting in energy savings of between 50 and 70 per cent per sign.
• Where restaurant design and existing lighting systems allow we are installing lux level sensors attached to the dimmer system to control the dining room lighting. The sensors determine the levels of natural light available and adjust the internal lighting accordingly. A recent trial of these sensors showed a 29 per cent energy saving on the dining lighting system.
• Many restaurants are now using the waste heat from the kitchen air conditioning system or absorbing heat from the ambient air to heat their hot water – saving significant amounts of electricity.

• A new solid waste management strategy is currently being developed. The strategy will be designed to divert waste from landfill, reduce materials used, increase recycling and create cost savings.
• Most restaurants currently recycle cardboard packaging and used cooking oil.
• A recycling trial at our Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta North restaurants commenced in September. Organic waste is separated in the kitchen and sent to Earth Power. All remaining waste including general waste from the dining room is collected as co-mingled waste. The recyclable components are separated at our waste service provider’s alternative waste treatment facility (AWT).
• Compactor trials are currently underway at our Thornleigh and Parramatta North restaurants to reduce waste volumes and collections.
• Another trial is underway with our distributor, McKey Distribution, to collect and backhaul clean pallet wrap from our restaurants to the distribution centre (DC) for compaction and recycling. If successful, this model will be rolled out nationally.
• All foam packaging was phased out in 2009 and all plastic plates have been removed from McCafes.

Some of the ways in which we have been able to reduce our water usage include:

• Rainwater tanks are now standard for all new freestanding restaurants. Rainwater is collected for use in irrigation and toilet flushing. 
• Time flow taps are being used in all new and re-modelled restaurants. These feature a reduced flow rate and auto flow shut off after seven seconds which saves approximately 100 to 200 litres of water per day.
• All new and remodelled restaurants use water efficient tapware and sanitaryware including time flow taps and dual flush toilets;
• Water efficient spray guns used for washing up in the kitchen reduce water usage by approximately 60 per cent compared to previous spray guns;
• New landscape design guidelines encourage the planting of native and drought resistant plants and utilise advanced stormwater retention methods.

For more detail about our performance in these areas please see the McDonald's Australia Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (CR&S) Report 2012.