Environmental concerns also have been very important in Australia. McDonald’s efforts in this
area included changing from foam to paper packaging, increasing the recycled content, waste
recovery and composting. They encouraged suppliers to reduce their environmental impact as
well. For example, all coffee is certified sustainable by the rainforest alliance. A McDonald’s
team is working with the marine stewardship council on fish-farming sustainability.
Additionally, McDonald’s has helped their carton board supplier work supportively with the
forestry stewardship council.
The company has exhibited a strong commitment to employees in Australia. Casual employees
have had the same 12 month parental leave as full-time employees. Wages were above the
federal minimum. In 2001 McDonald’s was voted the employer of choice for women, and they
made the best companies to work for list in 2008.