The CEO Magazine EMEA – April 2018

50 | theceomagazine.com

TOWARDS TOTAL SUSTAINABILITY

McDonald’s has recently announced

that all guest packaging across its

international operations will come from

recycled, sustainable or certified sources

by 2025. It is also aiming to have every

one of its 37,000 restaurants recycling

packaging by that date.

The company will work with local

authorities, industry experts and

recycling facilities around the world

to implement the change.

McDonald’s had previously outlined

its goal of ensuring all fibre-based

packaging is sourced from recycled

material or sites that had been certified

as not involving any deforestation

by 2020.

“As the world’s largest restaurant

company, we have a responsibility to

use our scale for good to make changes

that will have a meaningful impact across

the globe,” said Francesca DeBiase,

McDonald’s Chief Supply Chain and

Sustainability Officer.

Tom Murray of the Environmental

Defense Fund (EDF) said McDonald’s

had been a pioneer in waste reduction

and sustainable packaging, having

partnered with EDF since 1990. “We

pioneered a new partnership model

for companies and non-for-profit

organisations. Today, McDonald’s

continues to raise the sustainability

bar by setting ambitious goals and

collaborating with partners across the

value chain for maximum impact.”

recalls short trips to Europe as a boy when

he could sample the McDonald’s staples,

which seemed like exotic treats to a young

Saudi Arabian. “I love each and every item,”

he says. “However, my personal favourites,

which I am very passionate about, are

the McRoyal burger and the double

cheeseburger. Those two are my all-time

favourites.” He will try a different menu item

at least once a week, though he insists this

is purely for research purposes. “That is so

I can evaluate them.”

In his discussions with The CEO

Magazine, a theme Prince Mishaal often

circles back to is his immense pride in the

company he has built, its far-reaching

corporate social responsibility programs, its

industry-leading record in providing

employment for Saudi nationals, and the

acclaim it has garnered within the global

company for its culture and operational

excellence. “We have a great work

environment and a very friendly culture,”

he concludes.

“ WE RUN A LOT

OF INITIATIVES

FOR KIDS. WE

ENCOURAGE

THEM TO LIVE AN

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

BY DEVELOPING

PROGRAMS THAT

ARE FUN, FILLED

WITH SPORT.”

“Our shared values are quality ingredients,

responsible sourcing, and putting the customer first.

This is why our partnership with the exceptional

team at McDonald’s Saudi Arabia has grown strong.

We are proud to be associated with one of the best

restaurant brands in the world.” – Talal S Abalkhail,

CEO, Forsan Foods & Consumer Products

Cover story