Don't Eat
at McDonald's
A Major Contributor
to Climate Change"
Introduction
McDonald's is the largest fast-food chain in the world, but behind the burgers lies a hidden cost to our planet. McDonald's restaurants are one of the biggest carbon dioxide (CO2) emitters among commercial buildings in the U.S. They contribute significantly to climate change, yet refuse to take meaningful steps to reduce their energy consumption. Learn more about why you should avoid supporting them.
The Carbon Footprint of McDonald's
How Much Energy Does a McDonald's Restaurant Use?
Refusal to Adopt Sustainable Practices
Why McDonald's Ignores Climate-Friendly Solutions
The Impact on Our Environment
Climate Change: What’s at Stake?
What You Can Do
Your Role in Reducing McDonald’s Carbon Footprint
The simplest way to take a stand against McDonald’s harmful environmental practices is by refusing to eat there. Choose sustainable, eco-friendly food options from restaurants that are committed to reducing their environmental impact. Your choices matter!
- Pledge to Eat at Sustainable Restaurants
- Support Climate-Friendly Food Options
Take Action Join the Movement: Help Us Make a Difference
Let’s hold McDonald's accountable for their energy consumption and lack of environmental action. Join our campaign by signing petitions, spreading awareness, and calling on McDonald's to adopt sustainable practices
The Carbon Footprint of McDonald's
How Much Energy Does a McDonald's Restaurant Use?
The typical McDonald’s restaurant consumes an average of 364,500 kWh of electricity per year, which is significantly higher than many other types of commercial buildings. With over 13,400 locations in the U.S., McDonald’s total energy consumption is equivalent to that of a small country’s infrastructure. This usage comes from energy-hungry appliances, refrigeration, lighting, and HVAC systems that keep their business running day and night.
Their Refusal to Adopt Sustainable Practices
Why McDonald's Ignores Climate-Friendly Solutions
McDonald’s could easily reduce their carbon footprint by installing solar panels on restaurant rooftops and adopting energy-saving technologies. However, they prioritize profits over sustainability, choosing not to invest in green energy despite the long-term benefits for our planet. They have made minimal efforts to disclose the energy usage of individual restaurants or adopt clean energy solutions.
Key Stats
- Over 4.9 billion kWh used across U.S. McDonald’s locations annually.
- Simple measures like installing solar panels could save thousands of tons of CO2 emissions annually.
The Impact on Our Environment
Climate Change: What’s at Stake?
“Fast food restaurants like McDonald’s contribute to global warming by consuming fossil fuels for electricity and natural gas. With their high energy consumption and continued refusal to adopt greener practices, McDonald’s accelerates the degradation of our environment. Their CO2 emissions exacerbate the ongoing climate crisis, making them one of the biggest culprits in the commercial sector.
Data:
- McDonald’s uses 2.5 times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings.
- Emissions from these locations contribute to deforestation, pollution, and global warming.
Solutions McDonald's Should Implement
What McDonald's Can Do (But Hasn't)
McDonald’s has numerous opportunities to reduce its environmental impact
- Solar Panels on Restaurant Roofs: Solar power could drastically reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrading to modern, energy-saving equipment.
- LED Lighting: Reduce electricity usage for interior and exterior lighting.
- Transparency on Energy Usage: Publicly disclosing the energy consumption for each rest aurant.
Comparison
McDonald's Restaurant
Higher Energy Intensity: Uses more energy per square foot due to cooking and refrigeration.
450,000-700,000 kWh annually: High total energy consumption.
Primary Loads: Cooking equipment, refrigeration, HVAC.
Operating Hours: 18-24 hours, contributing to higher energy use.
HVAC & Refrigeration: High demand due to cooking heat and continuous refrigeration.
Average Commercial Building
Lower Energy Intensity: Energy demand mainly from lighting, HVAC, and office equipment.Â
165,000 250,000 kWh annually: Significantly lower energy usage
Primary Loads: Lighting, HVAC, office equipment.Â
Operating Hours: Typically 8-12 hours a day.
HVAC & Refrigeration: Less intensive HVAC usage and minimal refrigeration needs.