McDonald's restaurant exterior side-on

Net zero standard restaurants

We aim to transition all our restaurants to a UK industry net zero emissions standard from construction to use. 

Our commitment and goals

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By 2022 launch our first UK industry net zero emissions standard restaurant and create a blueprint for freehold new builds

2023 goal graphic of Net Zero restaurant blueprint with a tick

From 2023 roll out our blueprint for UK industry net zero emissions standard restaurants to all freehold new builds

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From 2023 furniture in new and refurbished restaurants will be made with recycled or certified materials and designed to be recycled or reused at end of life

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By 2030 achieve net zero emissions for all our restaurants and offices

        

While less than 5% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from our restaurants and offices, it’s important that we continue to work towards our goal of net zero emissions for all our restaurants and offices by 2030. This means making sure all our restaurants are operating in line with the Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Emissions Standard and the SBTi net zero criteria. We are starting with our new build freehold restaurants. 

The opening of our Market Drayton restaurant in 2021 was a big step forward. This was our first restaurant built to the UKGBC Net Zero Emissions Standard for construction and helped us to test the impact of new materials and suppliers, creating a blueprint for how we build in the future. 

From 2023, we’ve been rolling out our restaurant blueprint to new projects in line with the UKGBC Net Zero Framework, innovating the design and construction of new-builds as well as bringing in more sustainable materials to the restaurants we refurbish. We opened two further new build net zero standard restaurants in 2022 and 2023, with all ongoing freehold new builds meeting this standard.

We’re also working hard to refurbish our existing restaurants with the aim to bring them up to a UK industry net zero standard for operation. These efforts combined will keep us on track to meet our ambition to reach net zero emissions in restaurants and offices by 2030.

McDonald's UK and Ireland have achieved a 16% reduction in emissions from energy in our restaurants and offices between 2018 and 2022 and are focused on phasing out the use of gas, trialing on-site renewables, and introducing more efficient air conditioning units.

Wind turbines in a field

100% renewable electricity

All the electricity we purchase for our UK and Irish restaurants is already 100% renewable from wind and solar sources. We are investing in renewable electricity plants through the use of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). We stop used cooking oil from going to waste by transforming it into fuel that powers our delivery lorries, topped up with biodiesel from other sustainable sources, where necessary.

We want to keep our customers moving sustainably too, providing charging points for electric cars.

More sustainable interior schemes

We’ve introduced new sustainable furniture and interior options which are made with recycled or certified materials that are designed to be recycled or reused at the end of their life. We’ve moved the manufacturing of items such as table tops, chairs and benches to the UK, using material with recycled paper content and FSC certified timber. Indoor soft furnishings for seat and bench pads were also locally manufactured and contained organic cotton and recycled materials.

Recycling point in McDonald's restaurant reading 'Take a minute to bin it' and 'Keep it Clean'

A second life with the YMCA 

Our restaurant in Lymm worked with contractors, Reconomy, to donate our old restaurant furniture to the YMCA following a restaurant refurbishment project. This included the donation of stools, chairs, benches, tables, sofas, and even recycling stations, to the Liverpool branch of YMCA. This ensured the furniture didn’t go to waste, allowed the YMCA to enhance their interiors and repurpose funds into other work, and saved an estimated 0.4 tonnes of CO2e.

Our blueprint for net zero standard restaurants 

Take a look at our Market Drayton restaurant. 

Find Out More

Looking after the next generation

With highchairs made from FSC® certified wood and our play units made from recycled and recyclable materials.

Closing the loop on waste

Developing Great Restaurants doesn’t stop with our commitments on climate. Our Plan for Change also includes goals to reduce, recycle and reuse waste.

Find Out More

Our long-term goals in full 

See the details behind our Plan.

Find Out More

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