McDonald’s powering stores with solar energy

MANILA, Philippines — Fast-food chain McDonald’s Philippines is powering 25 of its stores with solar energy as part of efforts to shift to environment-friendly and sustainable solutions.

McDonald’s Philippines said it has 25 Green and Good stores that are solar-powered to date.

These stores are able to save a total of 546,000 kilowatt hours, which reduces electricity consumption to as much as 36 percent compared to stores that are not running on solar power.

Among its solar-powered branches are Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay Delos Reyes, Mambugan in Antipolo, and Sta. Monica in Commonwealth.

Aside from solar power, other green solutions McDonald’s is using include rainwater harvesting tanks, the use of inverter air-conditioning technology, LED lights and photo and motion sensors to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

McDonald’s is also working on minimizing its waste with 60 percent paper or fiber-based packaging and strawless lids for cold beverages.

These efforts have so far yielded a reduction of plastic waste by 273 metric tons.

McDonald’s Philippines said its stores are also equipped with bike and dine areas, while select branches have e-charging stations for use by customers with two-wheel electric vehicles.

Under its Green and Good initiative, McDonald’s Philippines is committed to help preserve the environment through innovative and sustainable restaurant solutions.

Starting with the first Green and Good store in UN Del Pilar Avenue in Manila, which opened in 2020, McDonald’s Philippines said it continues to search for more environmentally friendly alternatives to different areas of its operations.

The company aims to bring the total number of Green and Good stores to 130 by the end of 2023.

“With more than 700 stores nationwide, McDonald’s Philippines carries a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. We will continue to find solutions to make our operations more efficient and better for the planet,” McDonald’s Philippines president and CEO Kenneth Yang said.