McDonald’s Australia yesterday launched its first sustainability flagship, where it will test, evaluate and implement various sustainability initiatives which can then be folded into the business’ other 999 stores in Australia.

The business’ 1000th store will operate on 100 per cent renewable energy generated on an on-site solar system, feature 25 core sustainability initiatives including the recycling of Happy Meal toys, and will allow customers to charge electric vehicles.

“As a sustainability innovation hub, [this restaurant] will play a crucial role in enabling us to continue to design and build commercially practical sustainability solutions in to every new Macca’s restaurant in the years to come,” said McDonald’s Australia’s national director of development Diana Grosmann.

“Over the coming three years we plan to invest more than $500 million to open over 80 new restaurants across Australia, incorporating  a range of core sustainability elements from restaurant 1000, including PlayPlaces made with recycled content and energy efficient equipment, as well as the use of 100 per cent renewable energy at some restaurants.”

The business will also offset deliveries made via UberEats and DoorDash from the restaurant by purchasing carbon credits, and, in early 2021, it will begin trialing a front-of-house waste recycling system which will see waste from the store recycled into carry out bags and wraps packaging.

“The opening of our 1000th restaurant is a significant achievement for Macca’s, and we are proud to be continuing to find new and innovative ways to help make a positive difference to the communities we operate in,” Grosmann said.