McDonald's Global Forestry Policy to Apply to All Products by 2010

By 2010, McDonald's plans to develop a global forestry policy that will apply to all products it purchases, according to the company's 2008 corporate responsibility report.

By 2010, the burger giant's other goals include:

• educating and communicating with supply chain partners about sustainability
• measuring environmental impacts throughout the supply chain
• enhancing children's well-being through programs and food choice
• finding ways to maximize energy efficiency in restaurant operations
• continuing to integrate environmental considerations into its global packaging scorecard in nine major markets
• enhancing best practice sharing within the system

As for work already in progress, McDonald's reports that as of 2007, 92 perent of food, packaging and tier-1 equipment suppliers had affirmed its code of conduct. That is down from 93.5 percent in 2006, but up from 89 percent in 2005.

McDonald's kilowatt hours used per transaction stayed steady at 1.15 in 2006 and 2007.

The amount of packaging used per transaction, by weight (in pounds), has been trending down, from 0.139 pounds in 2005 to 0.138 pounds in 2006 and 0.135 pounds in 2007.

Download a PDF summary of the report here.

McDonald's maintains a CSR blog called Values in Practice, which also is the name it uses for its annual report.

Among other sustainability measures by McDonald's, Engenuity Systems Inc. is supplying McDonald’s with equipment to help the fast-food giant cut energy costs and increase efficiency in its restaurants.

And here is another video, featuring Jennifer McCracken,environmental manager for HAVI-Perseco, McDonald’s global packaging supplier, outlining some of the ways McDonald’s is making its product packaging more sustainable around the world.