Al Mana Restaurants & Food Company- the owner and operator of McDonald’s franchise in Qatar, announced that the fast food chain's Qatar operations is well on its way to reducing environmental footprint as well as adopting innovative approaches to waste management.

To achieve this objective, McDonald’s has set its own benchmark in its supply chain sustainability by creating, protecting and growing long-term environmental, social and economic value for all stakeholders involved in bringing products and services to the market.

The supply chain division of McDonald's has developed the oil recycling programme to dispose used cooking oil in a move to maximise its positive environmental impact and to make its restaurants as sustainable as possible, and more importantly meet the norms laid down by Qatar’s  Ministry of Municipality and Environment.

The oil recycling programme was developed with the support and collaboration of GBO, a local partner and provider, who collects used oil and processes it in biodiesel plants outside the food supply chain.
In doing so, the local partner helps ensure that the used oil from McDonald's restaurants in Qatar doesn't end up in local water bodies and that it is recycled for other uses in compliance with European requirements for sustainable biodiesel production under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System (ISCC).

The Biodiesel produced from McDonald’s waste vegetable oils produces less toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases than petroleum diesel produced and experts believe that using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel can reduce greenhouse gases up to 78 percent.

“A green and sustainable supply chain ensures that the environmental, social and economic impacts are efficiently managed while encouraging the best practices in good governance.

Throughout the lifecycles of products and services. The initiatives by McDonald’s are  a step forward to minimize their carbon footprints by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving water sustainability to considerably cut down environmental risks across their supply chains and expand their circle of responsibility,” said Fadi Rezek, general manager at AlMana Restaurants & Food Co. – McDonald’s Qatar.

Another testament of McDonald’s assurance to quality food in its kitchens is the frequent change of cooking oil. In 2016, the 40 outlets of McDonalds used about 108,780 liters of cooking oil, while in the first three months of 2017, a total of 47,960 liters of cooking oil has been used. These figures clearly demonstrate McDonald’s approach to be a step ahead of its competitors when it comes to quality and hygiene.  

According to Rezek, water cleanliness and purity is one of the world's toughest environmental challenges and programs like this will protect the water and environment so that they can be enjoyed by future generations. "With the used oil recycling program, Al Mana Restaurant and McDonald's Qatar will become the market pioneer in sustainable efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint and protect the environment in Qatar,"Rezek continued.

Furthermore, as part of McDonald's Qatar strategy to stop using hydrogenated fats, the company has switched to a new oil formula that contains sunflower and canola oil blend. The new oil has a significant impact on the nutritional value of McDonald's fried products, ie, 37 percent reduction in saturated fats.

"McDonald’s has achieved zero grams of trans fat per serving in its iconic French fries without sacrificing flavor, texture or quality," concluded Rezek. - TradeArabia News Service