Get In The Bin: McDonald’s launch anti-litter campaign
Today, McDonald’s launched a new campaign to highlight the ongoing litter issue nationwide.
The social campaign #GetInTheBin is asking for people and local communities to come together to stop those who are littering in public spaces and on roads. As lockdown measures lift, images across the country have shown a sharp increase in the prevalence of litter.
Research shows that recent littering is highest in young adults (49%) and decreases with age with only 14% of Boomers saying they littered in the last three months. Some 34% of people say they littered because they couldn’t find a bin and unsurprisingly more than two-thirds of Irish people say they wouldn’t date someone who litters.
McDonald’s restaurants across Ireland have always run litter patrols around their restaurants and in recent times while undertaking these litter patrols, it has become more evident that people are driving away and dumping once they have left the premises.
This campaign is urging everyone to make a stand and #GetInTheBin by picking up their own rubbish and disposing of it responsibly.
Beth Hart, vice-president, supply chain and brand trust for McDonald’s, said: “In Ireland since 1977 our restaurant teams have patrolled the towns and cities in which we operate collecting left behind litter. Our employees walk over 5,000 miles every week picking up all waste – our packaging and that of other retailers – by the sides of roads, in parks and on paths.
“It is deeply disappointing that so many people act so irresponsibly. Over the last few months we have seen how important collective responsibility is and we want the Irish public to help us tackle this dreadful and growing problem.
“Most of our packaging is recyclable, and whilst our dining areas remain closed, we want to see all customers taking their litter home and recycling or disposing of it responsibly.”
Arnold Dillon, director at Retail Ireland, spoke out in support of the campaign: “Retail Ireland is delighted to support McDonald's and the Get In The Bin campaign. It's no secret that litter can have a hugely negative impact on cities, towns, villages and the countryside. It is up to all of us, as businesses and citizens, to do what we can to encourage people to dispose of waste responsibly for the benefit of everyone in our community.”
Across the UK and Ireland, McDonald’s staff collect 27 tonnes of litter every year, on litter on patrols that take place around every restaurant three times a day and where they collect litter from any origin, not just their own.
The #GetInTheBin campaign will run across McDonald’s social channels featuring a series of social media memes and gifs showcasing what life would be like if litter took over the world of the young adult. Depicting ‘perfect’ social media scenarios, computer games, football pitches and dating apps strewn with litter, to highlight the refusal to deal with refuse. The #GetInTheBin will be a platform that can be used to call out those who continue to litter.
* Pictured, James Perry, franchisee, McDonald’s Artane Castle, with Shauna Boylan, business manager, near McDonald’s Artane Castle as the company launches a new campaign to highlight the ongoing litter issue nationwide. #GetInTheBin. Photo: Andres Poveda