Waste Management of McDonalds: A Comprehensive Analysis

This report examines the waste management practices of McDonald's, highlighting the significant environmental impact of its operations, particularly concerning the generation of non-biodegradable waste from packaging. The study emphasizes the substantial amount of waste produced annually and its contribution to pollution in landfills, as well as soil, water, and air pollution. The core recommendation revolves around implementing the "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" framework to mitigate environmental degradation. The report suggests specific actions, such as recycling food containers and banning plastic goods, while also exploring alternative packaging materials. The analysis underscores the importance of a comprehensive waste management strategy for McDonald's, advocating for a shift towards sustainable practices to minimize its environmental footprint. The report concludes by emphasizing the necessity of these strategies for effective waste management and a sustainable future.

Running head: WASTE MANAGEMENT OF MCDONALDS
WASTE MANAGEMENT OF MCDONALDS
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DATE:
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SUBJECT: Waste Management of McDonalds- Issues and Recommendations
McDonalds, in spite of being one of the biggest food chains in America and all around the world,
has been subsequently responsible for a plethora of wastes that they generate. Apparently, it has
been observed that McDonalds is responsible for generating greenhouse gases. It has been
evaluated that 47 million people consume food at McDonald’s everyday and therefore,
McDonald is responsible to produce more than 90,000 tons of waste every year, one of the
largest among the fast food industries (Recyclingtoday.com, 2018). Most of the wastes that
McDonald emits are the plastic fast food containers that are non-biodegradable and are not easily
absorbed in the environment which has resulted in pollution in the landfills. The non-
biodegradable and synthetic polythene packets of the food served and delivered by McDonald
has been one of the reasons for the increase in soil, water as well as air pollution and apparently
are in an utmost need of recycling which is assumed to be the only way by which such problem
can be tackled. To reduce the pollution and environmental degradation caused by the synthetic
and polythene packets, seals and other products used in McDonald’s I recommend you to follow
and abide by the concept of three Rs, which is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I would first
elaborate what is the primary meaning and importance of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Significance of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

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Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is a framework by which biodegradable as well as non-
biodegradable wastes are segregated, managed and utilized in certain other areas of production or
usage which aims to reduce and minimize pollution and waste management is smoothly executed
van( Heek, Arning & Ziefle, 2017). Reduce is the process by which wastes that are generated can
be, or is reduced up to certain extent by various measures to help in preserving the environment
and resources. Reuse is the process by which the used materials, products or substances are re-
used by utilizing various creative and innovative ideas which again helps in less waste generation
and controlled usage of resources that are generally scarce. Recycling is the process of waste
management by which waste materials are manipulated and converted into new materials,
objects or things which are usable or has utility value. Recycling is the method by which the
conventional way of waste disposal and management is rejected which further helps in
minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and also helps to protect the environment by conserving
the resources ( Heek, Arning & Ziefle, 2017)..
To smoothly operate the mentioned functions, I would recommend certain actions and measures
that can be taken.
 The boxes, packets and hot drink cups which McDonald’s uses while packing, serving or
giving food can be recycled. Though McDonald’s has taken several steps of recycling
them by segregating them into non-biodegradable wastes and from that waste segregated
areas, they have been taken away for further re-manufacturing them into toys and other
plastic play tools which are again an unnecessary burden and a threat to the environment,
McDonald needs to solemnly resolve for a proper recycling technique. This means that
after recycling, the same recycled product would again come up in the fast food industry
for the same purpose but in a clean, polished and refined way.

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 The most customary reduce, reuse and recycling strategy which McDonald has
apparently taken up is a complete ban on plastic goods and materials. However, it has to
also be kept in mind that only completely banning the usage of plastic goods and
materials would not solve the problem. While still researches are going on about the best
alternatives that can be possible instead of plastic and polythene, McDonald needs to
work upon the materials that they use for food or juice packaging. McDonald is
recommended to look for alternatives for their packaging, shipping and delivery materials
that might act like plastic but would not be built by polythene or synthetic chemicals.
However, the positive side of waste management in McDonald is it has already reduced
the usage of plastic in orange juice glasses which has helped in a subsequent lessening of
pollution caused by plastic all around the world (Recyclingtoday.com, 2018).
Summary and Recommendation
1. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is the only way for an effective waste management.
2. McDonald can take up Reduce, Reuse and Recycle techniques for an effective waste
management in future.


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References:
Recyclingtoday.com, (2018) Available at: https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/mcdonalds-
greenhouse-gases-waste-recycling/
van Heek, J., Arning, K., & Ziefle, M. (2017). Reduce, reuse, recycle: Acceptance of CO2-
utilization for plastic products. Energy Policy, 105, 53-66.