1. McDonald’s and The Trussell Trust are now wrapping up hunger in London
The “Why Waste Me?” charitable campaign
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/ EMBARGO: 10th May, 2016
LONDON, United Kingdom, May 10, 2016 – Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer
(McDonald’s UK) announced today – McDonald’s anti food waste charitable campaign “Why
Waste Me?” in collaboration with The Trussell Trust, the largest organization fighting
homelessness and poverty in the UK with over four hundred food banks.
The “Why Waste Me?” initiative will take place in London (#ImDonatingIt) from May 10,
2016 until June 19, 2016 with the purpose of raising awareness and nudging behavioral
change towards McDonald’s customers on the matter of food wasting. The franchise’s
strategy is to set a powerful example by starting to donate their unused ingredients that are
still within the “sell-by” date to the Trussell Trust Charity. Starting today, customers will find
pop-up boxes inside their restaurants where they can donate food as well, and aid to
McDonald’s environmental and social goal.
According to a “Waste & Resources Action Programme” carried out in 2013, the estimated
annual food waste in the UK is around 12 million tonnes with a value of over £19 billion; 75%
of which could have been avoided. Understandably this leads to and increases poverty, as
well as leaving the homeless hungry.
http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/UK%20Estimates%20October%2015%20%28FINAL
%29_0.pdf McDonald’s food waste varies from 100k to 500k products per day globally, with
an average of 180kg of waste per restaurant in a week; a considerable amount of which
could be donated to feed the starving people living on the streets.
http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/whatmakesmcdonalds/questions/environmental-
impact/waste/on-average-how-much-food-waste-is-being-separated-per-week-from-your-
general-waste.html
2. “These statistics are alarming, hindering a healthy environment and society. We at
McDonald’s are motivated to strive to improve our impact on the community we live in. Our
ambitious activities are centered around key priorities: reduce, reuse, recycle. Food waste is
a considerable concern nowadays in Europe, with France taking the lead and making a trend
out of food waste reduction. We decided to add our own twist to this innovative tendency
and launch the “Why Waste Me?” campaign to donate for a good cause. We want to help
and care for our surroundings and for those in need and we are inviting our customers to do
this apace with us.” – Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer McDonald’s UK
“Why Waste Me?” is primarily trying to raise awareness amongst families with children on
the issue of food waste. The reason behind it is that domestic household waste raised up to
over three million tonnes of food in the UK in 2007 alone. Food waste accounts for
approximately 20 per cent of families’ waste.
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Bag%20it%20o
r%20bin%20it%20-%20Managing%20London's%20food%20waste.pdf
“Here at McDonald’s we understand the lifestyle of UK families. I myself am a father of two
and want to raise my children in a clean and resourceful environment. Through “Why Waste
Me?” we are sending our messages to busy, cultured and socially responsible parents who
might want to treat their little ones with a Happy Meal or to have a break and enjoy our
freshly grounded coffee while resting assured we, together with The Trussell Trust Charity
are helping the less fortunate and benefiting the ecosystemat the same time. We are
encouraging them to follow this new project!” – Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer
McDonald’s UK
The “Why Waste Me?” campaign alongside the McDonald’s team and The Trussel Trust
Charity are promising a successful outcome, calling their customers to action by stimulating
them to donate and by also inviting them to a surprise event which will take place on June 5,
2016 in Trafalgar Square.
-Ends-
Ioana Lorena Grosu
Ioana.grosu10@gmail.com
University of Westminster Public Relations and Advertising
3. Boilerplate
Paul Pomroy – Chief Executive Officer McDonald’s UK since February, 2015.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-pomroy-8ab2244
McDonald’s was founded on April 15, 1955 in Illinois, United States. It is considered to be the
world’s largest chain of hamburger fast-food restaurants serving millions of clients every day.
Over the years, McDonald’s have been involved in various charitable and “green” activities,
supporting local farmers and reducing carbon footprint. Their most successful charity up to
date is the Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit organization with the purpose of
improving the health and well-being of children.
Contact info:
http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome.html
McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd
11-59 High Road
East Finchley
London
N2 8AW
+44 (0)370 524 4622
The Trussell Trust is a charitable organization founded in Bulgaria in 1997 with an emotional
story behind it. The Trussell Trust concept was inspired by “Baby Boris”, a newborn living in a
railway station with his 14-year-old mother. Today, the Trussell Trust is the largest charity of
its kind in UK fighting against poverty, hunger and homelessness with over 400 food banks.
They provide emergency food supplies and support to those in need.
