McDonald’s honors suppliers working to be earth-friendly
OAK BROOK — McDonald’s Corp. recognized 51 of its supply partners through the company’s 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply Chain.
The honor recognizes the firms who have addressed challenges to help improve food sources, the environment, communities and employee wellness across the world, the company said in a release. McDonald’s received more than 400 submissions from 172 different suppliers.
Supply chain achievements spanned diverse areas including meeting zero waste-to-landfill targets, taking the plastic out of plastic bottles, teaching orphans how to raise chickens, helping employees attain further education, and more. Collectively, they demonstrated the power of sharing responsibility by letting employees lead; sharing experience by applying global lessons locally; and sharing expertise through partnerships.
A panel of executives and external experts, including BSR, Conservation International, Food Animal Initiative and World Wildlife Fund selected the final 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply winners. These projects were selected based on either measurable results or innovation.
“One of our core values is taking seriously the responsibilities that come with being a leader, and using our size, scope and resources to help make the world a better place. Nowhere is that commitment more evident than in our supply chain,” said Jose Armario, executive vice president, McDonald’s Global Supply Chain, Development & Franchising. “The submissions in this year’s report demonstrate that McDonald’s supply chain is world class in its ability to provide safe, sustainable, and assured supply of food and products our customers love.”
Best of Sustainable Supply Report highlights include:
타 Integrated Pest Management: Leading competitive North American potato suppliers (ConAgra Lamb Weston, McCain Foods, J.R. Simplot Company) collaborated to identify and measure the implementation of best practices to reduce pesticide, fertilizer and water use.
타 Animal Welfare Training: GenOSI Inc. (an OSI Group partner in the Philippines) trained government animal welfare officers and meat inspectors in the Philippines. Judges selected this entry as an example of leadership that extends beyond a company’s scope of responsibility to drive systemic change.
타 Sustainable Wheat Farming to Reduce Carbon Footprint: Fresh Start Bakeries in Europe worked with suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint resulting from the agricultural practices used to produce its main raw material: wheat. This example reflects the highest aspirations of McDonald’s Sustainable Land Management Commitment.
타 Reducing the Use of Fossil Fuels and Supplying Energy to the Community: Grupo Melo, a Central American supplier, built and optimized hydro power turbines that produce excess power for the surrounding community during the rainy season.
“The majority of any given company’s social and environmental impacts are in its supply chain. McDonald’s recognition of its suppliers is an important means to highlighting innovative solutions that drive sustainability commitments and encourage leadership within the
industry,” said Sonal Pandya-Dalal, Conservation International’s senior adviser, corporate leadership strategies, Center for Environmental Leadership in Business.
The full report and list of winners can be found at http://aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/sustainability/signature—programs/best — practices.html.