Croydon's fast food waste to light up thousands of homes
by Anna Edwards
anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk
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FROM BURGERS TO BULBS: The waste collected from the outlets will be turned into energy, powering lightbulbs
Photo no: CCRdf050109d by Danny Fitzpatrick
CCRdf050109d 02 ross gary Adams owns 8 McDonalds franchises. business is up by 11% and he is now employing 80 new staff. McDonalds Valley Park, Waddon fast food burgers junk healthy unhealthy america *** Local Caption *** Copyright Croydon Advertiser
A McDonald's franchisee is doing his bit to save the planet by turning his fast food waste into energy.
Four out of seven of Gary Adams' restaurants will have their waste collected and converted into energy.
Over a year, this is expected to produce enough electricity to power 3.6 million light bulbs for one hour, the equivalent of three evenings worth of light for every one of Croydon's 330,000 households.
The McDonald's restaurant waste is collected by Veolia Environmental Services and sent to South East London Combined Heat and Power (SELCHP), the energy recovery facility in Deptford.
It is then converted into energy that is channelled into the National Grid and used to power homes and businesses across the UK, including those in the capital.
The fast-food branches involved are in the Whitgift Centre, Church Street, Wellesley Road and Valley Retail Park.
Mr Adams said: "I'm delighted my restaurants are implementing the energy from waste programme as I'm always looking at new ways to tackle restaurant waste and reduce environmental impact.
"Every bit of rubbish – from burgers to bin bags – will be turned into energy, which is very exciting because it's showing new ways of being able to help the environment while still running your business.
"As long as the facilities are there we will try our best to save as much energy as we can. You have to think about how you're helping the environment."
Mr Adams said his outlets have been trying to drastically reduce their waste by recycling as much material as they can.
He said: "We started recycling cardboard about 18 months ago, and we're looking to start recycling plastics too.
"We've invested in our heating and cooling systems in the restaurants, so we don't waste energy unnecessarily, making the outlet hot or cold."
He added: "To be able to turn rubbish into enough energy to power homes is very encouraging. You can see that your efforts are worthwhile.
"By 2012 we want to have stopped using landfills, and I think it's achievable.
"If the infrastructure is there, I think businesses will be willing to do their bit."
6 Comments
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by RobinHood, Sherwood
Thursday, November 12 2009, 6:45PM
“Any initiative like this is highly commendable BUT...the damage to the planet cannot be undone.If British industry and Parliament are genuine in their desire to put the breaks on global warming they should forget the economy and concentrate on the planet before it is too late.Anything the Germans and Croydons McD does is wiped out by one or two container ships of goods arriving from China.”
by Mad, South Norwood
Wednesday, November 11 2009, 8:49PM
“Maybe he should visit a McD in Germany. They have minimal plastic packaging (straws are wrapped in paper for example), every restaurant has recycling bins (and Germans know how to seperate and throw in the correct bin) and people are encouraged to forgo the wrapping around each burger if it is a eat-in-order. This is nothing new. McD got rid of the foam packaging in Germany 15 years ago, they have been recycling for at leats 6 years.”
by Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher
Wednesday, November 11 2009, 2:03PM
“Another load of greenwash. There is nothing environmentally friendly about this. As for Anon's suggestion that McDonald's would welcome better ideas, don't you believe it. The only way to green that company is to close it down.”
by Anon, Anon
Wednesday, November 11 2009, 1:59PM
“mr angry, purley
do you have a better idea then, because Im sure they would welcome it.”
by SV, Croydon
Wednesday, November 11 2009, 12:17PM
“It is just what the Tory Council are planning for the borough.
One big incinerator and everything sent to it. easy peasy.
This company, like Croydon, should take the hard decisions.
Recycle all the packaging - card, plastic etc.
Separate the food waste so it can be turned into gas.
Then consider what to do with the very small amount of waste that is left.
Is this bloke advising Croydon Council on their waste strategy?”