Reconomy has helped McDonald’s complete a sustainable refurbishment project of its restaurant in Lymm, Warrington and donated the old furniture to YMCA Together as part of a social value initiative.
Reconomy, which describes itself as a leader in outsourced services to drive the circular economy, says the project has the potential to be used as a template to be included in McDonald’s UK&I restaurant refurbishment programme.
The company was awarded sole supplier status in 2022 to help deliver increasingly sustainability and identify circular solutions to minimise waste as part of McDonald’s’ “reimaging restaurant refurbishment works programme”.
As part of the project, Reconomy says it identified a “significant reuse opportunity” through the surplus-to-requirements furniture from a McDonald’s restaurant in Lymm (Warrington) owned by franchisee Jayne Aspin-Mayne which included stools, chairs, benches, tables, sofas and a recycling station.
Following a period of engagement with nearby organisations in the third sector, an agreement was reached to donate the furniture to the Liverpool branch of YMCA Together, which Reconomy says removed the furniture as a waste stream and generated £5,500 of social value. Diverting the materials from landfill and preventing them from being wasted saved 0.4 tonnes of CO2e too, Reconomy says.
Some furniture parts coming out of restaurant refurbishment projects have historically gone to landfill where they cannot be recycled.
Ben Angove, Sales Director at Reconomy, commented: “Some furniture parts coming out of restaurant refurbishment projects have historically gone to landfill where they cannot be recycled.
“We identified a social value opportunity to donate these items to registered charities and the project has been a positive experience, harnessing the benefits of the circular economy to support the franchisee and a community youth organisation.”
The YMCA Together project is now acting as a template for all the work taking place across the UK & ROI as part of McDonald’s annual reimaging store refurbishment works. The partners are also actively involved in trialling circular solutions for other high-volume materials created by the refurbishment works, including Rockfon ceiling tiles and Corian material.
The ability to receive furniture and repurpose money into other work that we do with the local community has been amazing.
Commenting on the announcement, Jason Thomas, Operatal Housing Lead at YMCA Together, said: “The ability to receive furniture and repurpose money into other work that we do with the local community has been amazing.
“Our homeless service in Knowsley, for example, has revitalised its computer area, while the new recycle unit in their communal lounge is supporting residents with recycling opportunities while within our Leeds Street service, we’re hopeful that this lounge can be used for a wide range of activities.”