McDonald's Saves the Farm

McDonald’s Europe wants to save the farm. Following its attempts to give patrons healthier menu options (McSalads, anyone?), the burger giant is addressing environmental and animal welfare issues by pinpointing several European farms using greener and more animal-friendly techniques it hopes to adopt in its own business.

According to a Reuters story, these innovations include an idea from a Netherlands farm for "grooved anti-slip flooring and weekly foot-bathing for cows to reduce the incidence of lameness" and techniques for reduced water usage gleaned from an arid Spanish farm.

Like the healthy menu options, the impetus for this green change came from customers. The company says that many of its patrons are looking to spend their money on more sustainable products.

A spark towards a more eco-friendly future started with the customer. The next step: The European arm of the Illinois-based fast food group says that they hope to encourage farms across Europe to adopt similar procedures. According to the story, "McDonald's Europe uses one million tonnes of potatoes a year, 200,000 tonnes of beef, 60,000 tonnes of lettuce, 100,000 tonnes of wheat and 150,000 tonnes of milk every year" in its 6,600 restaurants across Europe.

With these kinds of numbers, it's easy to see how the fast food behemoth might muscle its way to greener results.