Day 003 - 30 Jun 94 - Page 31
1 country, as well as elsewhere in the world, is responsible
for significant damage to the environment of the earth by
2 the number of trees it consumes to make paper for its
packaging. Can I have your reaction to that?
3 A. I think it is ridiculous.
4 Q. Can you explain why you think it is ridiculous?
A. The paper we use comes from not chopping down forests
5 that have been existing on the face of the earth, but by
wood that has been grown for the sole purpose of providing
6 paper sustainable for us, sustainable materials. I have
seen a number bantered about in the leaflet of some 800
7 square miles or something globally. In Europe I doubt
whether the number is more than, I do not know, 2 square
8 miles a year maybe top whack.
9 Q. Do you keep yourself informed about these matters,
Mr. Preston?
10 A. Well, when I first came to Britain not only did I have
operations responsibilities, but I was involved in the
11 purchasing function very heavily. I set up a lot of
procedures we started with here. As a chief executive of
12 a company, although I do not do the day-to-day work for
the purchasing people today or the chief financial officer
13 today or the gentleman who heads development or the lady
who holds down the personnel human resources function, we
14 as a management group meet weekly; we talk through what is
happening and going on. So I am reasonably familiar with
15 what is going on in the broadest sense across McDonald's
in the United Kingdom, yes.
16
Q. Does McDonald's in the United Kingdom or does it not have
17 a concern for the environment, of the earth in which it
operates?
18 A. It most certainly does. It is borne not only of being
McDonald's and our concern, but I am a parent too. We
19 talked about my two daughters some time ago.
20 Q. Does it matter to you whether there are any forests left
in the world by the time you are dead and your children
21 have grown up?
A. Of course it does. I am sure it will matter to them
22 and my grandchildren. Hopefully I will get a few one of
these days. It is everybody's concern.
23
Q. Does it matter to you whether the ozone layer is destroyed
24 by McDonald's packaging?
A. Of course it matters.
25
Q. Does it matter to you whether the rainforests and the
26 diverse eco systems which they contain are left for future
generations?
27 A. Of course it matters.
28 Q. Does it matter to you whether the streets of our large
cities are covered, literally covered, with tonnes,
29 I think they say thousands of tonnes, I do not know,
tonnes of environment/index.html">litter emanating from McDonald's restaurants?
30 A. Of course it matters.
