
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990                   TAG: 9004180431
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MCDONALD'S PLANS LARGE-SCALE USE OF RECYCLED GOODS

In a move likely to greatly expand the U.S. market for recycled products, McDonald's Corp. pledged Tuesday to buy up to $100 million worth of recycled materials a year for use in building and remodeling its U.S. restaurants.

The company plans to use the recycled materials in the 400 or so restaurants built each year and in the 1,000 that undergo remodeling.

"Recycling is one of the most important environmental steps America can take," said Ed Rensi, president of McDonald's USA. "But there is an urgent need to expand the market for recycled materials so that individuals, communities and businesses can sustain - and even increase - their recycling efforts."

McDonald's is already one of the largest users of recycled paper products in the fast-food business, according to Shelby Yastrow, McDonald's senior vice president of environmental affairs.

"I would pray someday that we can build a restaurant out of 100 percent recycled materials," said Yastrow.

McDonald's spends about $60 million a year on recycled paper products. About 250 restaurants are involved in a polystyrene recycling program that is scheduled to be expanded to about 2,000 restaurants, Yastrow said.

He said anyone who produces recycled materials should contact the company at (800) 453-1000.

by CNB