The New Green McDonald’s

by Spence Cooper on 09/07/09 at 3:24 pm

Ronald McDonald goes green

No, not pollution-free fries or burgers — plug-in car charging stations, energy efficient lighting and water-saving devices, recycled construction materials, and sustainable coffee, according to GreenBiz.com.

The first plug-in car charging stations are slated for installation in Cary, North Carolina where McDonald’s will open a new store on July 14.

“The installation of the first plug-in car charging station at a McDonald’s is an example of the rapid dramatic shift in public sentiment about cars, energy and the environment—or at least public relations efforts catering to green-oriented consumers—and is seen as a sign of the potential widespread adoption of cars that can be powered by electricity,” HybridCars.com reports.

“We want to reward those folks who already drive electric-powered vehicles with the most convenient parking spaces and charge stations at the new Green McDonald’s,” said Ric Richards, the franchise owner of the new store in an email message. Richards says there will also be preferred parking spaces for other fuel efficient vehicles.

“We hope these measures will encourage others to consider purchasing these environment-friendly vehicles,” Richards continued. “These measures were just one more feature we could add to our eco-friendly McDonald’s.”

I doubt the McDonald’s “Green” move is entirely altruistic and would venture to guess it’s more a proactive public relations campaign aimed at sculpting an eco-friendly image and soothing environmental groups for their criticisms of McDonald’s contribution to the “destruction of rain forest in Brazil for large-scale cattle production”.