McDonald's China pledges to build 1,800 ‘green' stores by 2022
Some restaurants in Beijing will also pilot a program to reduce straws.
Looking to be more environment-friendly, McDonald’s China has laid out its sustainable development action plan where they are targeting more than 1,800 ‘green’ restaurants in the country in the next four years.
Each store will be recognised by the non-profit sustainability organisation U.S. Green Building Council as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ID+C certified. This means that the construction, design and interiors of a site practice a sustainable work environment.
As for its existing stores, they will continue to ensure that every branch will use LED lights and efficient air conditioning and kitchen equipment.
The fast food chain will also be using packaging solutions out of paper. McDonald’s will be piloting an initiative in Beijing where they will cut the use of plastic straws and lids on November 1, joining a number of other QSR brands in Asia that have started initiatives to reduce plastic use.
“If McDonald's makes a good change, even a small change can be the world. It has a major impact. We believe that while McDonald's is accelerating its development in China, it needs to shoulder more social responsibilities.”
Zhang Wei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of McDonald's China, said that the brand needed to shoulder more social responsibilities it continues its development in the country.
A week ago, McDonald’s Corporation held a conference call for the release of their financial results for the third quarter. Their president and CEO, Steve Easterbrook, said that the market is showing great results in terms of their digital and delivery platforms.
Last January 2017, they announced to sell 80% of the business in China and Hong Kong to turn it into a franchise model. After a few months, they also said they plan to open 2,000 stores in the market by 2022.
Easterbrook reported that 375 was launched this year and hopes to have 400 more in 2019. He also mentioned that 75% of their existing stores have been modernized.
