The Market Drayton McDonald’s has been designed to be net zero emissions in both construction and every day operation – which McDonald’s describes as “an industry first”.
From a Drive-Thru lane made from recycled tyres, on-site solar and wind power and kerb stones made from plastic bottles, the restaurant will act as a testing site for a number of industry-first innovations.
McDonald’s most sustainable restaurant also includes:
– Renewable power from two wind turbines and 92sqm of solar panels – producing 60,000 kWhs of power per year, and reducing the amount of energy the restaurant draws from the grid
– Walls insulated with British sheep’s wool which might otherwise have gone to landfill, and which replaces unsustainable man-made materials
– Building cladding made from recycled IT equipment and white household goods like washing machines, amounting to 250 sqm of recycled materials
– Wall signs made from McDonald’s used coffee beans
– Kerbs stones each made from 182 recycled plastic bottles – reducing carbon emissions by 25kg per kerb compared to concrete kerbs. By using over 1,000 of these at Market Drayton, McDonald’s has diverted over 200,000 plastic bottles from landfill
– A Drive-Thru lane which has been made from recycled tyres – this material produces less carbon-dioxide and allows more water to be absorbed, reducing the amount of rainwater going down the drain
– A biodiversity garden and nature trail – designed by schoolchildren from Market Drayton Junior School, the garden will collect rainwater from the carpark and provide a habitat for frogs and other creatures
Beth Hart, McDonald’s Vice President Supply Chain and Brand Trust, said: “At McDonald’s we believe that our food needs to be served in restaurants that are sustainable for the future. Market Drayton is a big step towards making that a reality, enabling us to test and put into practice what a net zero emissions building, both in build and use, really looks like. We’ve already started to roll out some of these innovations to other restaurants, but what is exciting about Market Drayton is the fact it will act as a blueprint for our future new builds.”
Simon McWhirter, UKGBC’s Director of Communications, Policy & Places, said: “The challenge of decarbonising the construction industry is a complex one, but McDonald’s commitment to building the first restaurant in the UK in line with UKGBC’s net zero carbon buildings framework is a critical first step. We welcome the ambition to achieve net zero emissions for all McDonald’s restaurants and offices by 2030.”
To find out more visit mcdonalds.co.uk/planforchange
