KFC Australia is rolling out new recycling systems across selected Queensland stores, the final stage of an initiative which has brought recycling facilities to more than 170 outlets.
The Queensland launch at KFC Kelvin Grove, follows the successful rollout in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
KFC is the first quick service restaurant to participate in this nationwide recycling initiative, Do the Right Thing, Use the Right Bin, funded and organised through the Australian Packaging Covenant.
New recycling systems for public use have been installed at 43 Queensland restaurants, owned and operated by KFC franchisee, Collins Foods Limited. These provide away-from-home recycling opportunities for an estimated seven million customer visits each year.
Back-of-house cardboard recycling bins have also been installed in 83 restaurants, which is expected to divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill nationally by the end of 2013.
Martin Clarke, CEO of KFC at Collins Foods Limited, said the company was committed to providing sustainable solutions that meet consumer needs.
“We’re proud to be involved in this nationwide initiative to help educate our customers about recycling responsibly at KFC. We will be continuing to invest in environmental solutions at our restaurants, exploring further opportunities to operate sustainably, bringing more value to our customers.”
Michael Clark, chief supply chain officer at KFC Australia, said “Last year, nationally we diverted over 1,800 tonnes of cardboard, bottles and cans from landfill through our Closed Loop Recycling Program, the first national Public Place Recycling Program of its kind in the quick service restaurant industry.”
The Do The Right Thing, Use the Right Bin project is a partnership between the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF), the National Packaging Covenant Industry Association, the Queensland government through the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Closed Loop Environmental Solutions and KFC and Pizza Hut (YUM! Restaurants).
Jenny Pickles, general manager of the PSF, congratulated YUM! Restaurants on its contribution to environmental sustainability.
“The project is part of the state wide rollout of the Queensland Bin Network, an industry funded five year initiative to make it easy for consumers to recycle and reduce litter when they are away from home. As a result of this initiative, many Queensland residents can now recycle responsibly while visiting KFC.”
- The Honourable Andrew Powell, MP, Queensland Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, launched the initiative at the Kelvin Grove KFC outlet.