Burger King focuses on sustainability with new green packaging

While Burger King believes in the sentiment, my way at BK, the company appreciates that it needs to put a sustainability component into the conversation. Consumers are savvy and they want to support businesses that are aware of their environmental impact. By testing new green packaging, BK believes scalable solutions are the future for quick service restaurants.

Think about a typical quick service order. How many items are in the bag? From the burger to the fries to the drink, even a small meal has a pile of items. When that meal is complete, the trash component is significant, even putting aside the pile of unused disposable napkins.

Burger King is looking to reduce its carbon footprint through scalable solutions on items that are used in most orders, items like Whopper wrappers, Frypods, drink lids, straws, utensils, and more. According to Matthew Banton, head of innovation and sustainability, Burger King, “Sustainable packaging is a cornerstone of our Restaurant Brands for Good journey, and this new pilot represents a huge opportunity for us to make a difference.“

How could this Burger King program make a substantial impact?

While many consumers have learned to adopt a “greener” commitment at home, companies are starting to do their part to find a more sustainable future. Through this particular program, BK focuses on products that use alternative materials. From Frypods that use “renewable unbleached virgin paperboard” to “plant based plastic,” the company is showing that change can happen if a brand is committed to finding the alternatives.

The pilot program will roll out in Miami at select restaurants. Through the testing, BK will get guests’ feedback. The goal is to take this feedback and achieve a scenario of “nationwide sustainable packaging in the next year.”

Although that concept takes a strategic road map, the implications on the environment are substantial. BK believes that the elimination of “up to 500 million single-use plastic straws annually from participating U.S. Burger King restaurants… would translate to the removal of 910 metric tons of greenhouse gasses per year.” As seen in this statement, meaningful change will make a difference.

Previously, BK had implemented the Loop program at select locations. Focusing on recyclable packaging, this program is looking to expand, as well. The idea is to find to various methods to foster a conversation and a solution for the ever growing program.

Assisting the BK programs are both Coca-Cola and Heinz. While those companies have fostered their own sustainable conversations, the idea is to leverage the combined resources to find solutions.

As Barry Danckert,vice president, Global RBI Customer Team, The Coca-Cola Company, shared that the company continues to “innovate and rethink how consumers enjoy Coca-Cola beverages” in conjunction with the brand’s World Without Waste initiative.

Peter Hall, president, U.S. Away From Home, Kraft Heinz, said, “Global companies and global brands have the power to help shape the world for good and Kraft Heinz is committed to a better future with responsible recycling and reusable initiatives.”

Even though this program is just a pilot offering, it proves that brands appreciate the need for change. It is more than just ditching the plastic water bottle for a reusable one. Rethinking and repackaging commonly used items can make for meaningful change. Doesn’t that inspire everyone to strive for better?

What other quick service restaurant items deserve an overhaul? Does a company who looks to make an impact earn your business?