McDonald's burger contents have long been the subject of jokes, but now McDonald's UK is spending thousands of pounds investigating the fumes emitted by its beef patties.
McDonald's UK uses 350,000 head of cattle from 350 farms across the UK to make its burger patties. The company will conduct a three-year study investigating methane emissions from these cattle. Gases produced by ruminant livestock account for 4% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.
Last week, when announcing the UK's "Food Strategy 2030," UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn asked the food industry to study how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. McDonald's subsequently announced that it would conduct the aforementioned study.
A 2006 U.S. study calculated that making one cheeseburger emits approximately 3.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
McDonald's UK CEO Steve Easterbrook said, "This groundbreaking research will help further reduce carbon emissions in the beef supply chain, while also providing real benefits to farmers' incomes."
This initiative will be the first survey program operated by the energy auditing company, the E-CO2 Project, to obtain accurate data from farms. A sophisticated greenhouse gas calculator, accredited by the Carbon Trust, will measure total emissions over three years. The calculator's first reading will be generated this April; at that time, expert advisors will recommend the best ways for farmers to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. If the project is successful, the initiative will be expanded to McDonald's locations throughout Europe.
The plan's effects are expected to extend beyond the fast-food industry. While McDonald's buys beef from over 16,000 farms in the UK and Ireland, they only use the flanks and loin cuts of cattle to make their burgers. Retailers and slaughterhouses using other parts of the same cattle will also see a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Easterbrook is working to reshape McDonald's into a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible brand, and this project is part of many attempts. But even with his efforts, McDonald's still faces many problems.
