Players from Bangor Swifts FC recently joined with the McDonald’s Bangor restaurant for a litter clean-up event in Ward Park. The event formed part of McDonald’s campaign aimed at tackling litter in parks, on paths and along roadsides in towns across the province.
The ‘30 Parks in 30 Days’ campaign saw McDonald’s employees undertake more than 30 litter clean-ups in parks and nature areas across Northern Ireland throughout the 30 days of June. Led by the seven local franchisees across McDonald’s estate of 34 restaurants in NI, the clean-up events were supported by local councils, elected representatives and football clubs, including Bangor Swifts FC.
Bangor Swifts FC
Daniel Kelly, coach at Bangor Swifts FC, said: “Our children are all from the Bangor area or nearby and, as a team, we are trying to teach them that being on the local team isn’t just about playing football – it’s about representing their local community, on and off the pitch. Clean-up events like this are a brilliant way of getting them involved in tackling litter in the local area, and it’s fantastic that McDonald’s is leading by example in this way.”
The Bangor litter clean-up event was also supported by Stephen Dunne MLA, who said: “I was delighted recently to have the opportunity to join local workers from McDonald’s at Ward Park, Bangor, to participate in picking up litter and spreading awareness of littering throughout our Borough.
“The parks we have across North Down are vibrant, clean and a safe place to enjoy a nice day out with family or friends. As a community across North Down, we should cherish and utilise our local parks and beaches.”
He concluded: “We need to do our best to protect the beautiful scenery and nature around us by making sure to throw all litter into designated bins that are spread throughout our local areas. I was thrilled by the number of young people involved in the project and commend McDonald’s for initiating such an important piece of work.”
Des Lamph, Franchisee of the McDonald’s Bangor restaurant commented: “At McDonald’s, we take our environmental responsibilities extremely seriously. We very much share our customers’ and stakeholders’ disappointment and frustration at seeing litter discarded carelessly in parks, on paths and by the sides of roads.
“Whilst our employees regularly undertake voluntary litter clean-ups in Bangor and the surrounding areas, this collaborative ’30 Parks in 30 Days’ campaign between our restaurants and local communities reinforces our strong commitment of our wider business to tackling litter right across Northern Ireland.”
Mr Lamph said the campaign adds further to “a wide range of litter initiatives” rolled out by McDonald’s on a daily basis. Across the UK and Ireland, McDonald’s staff collect 27 tonnes of litter every year, on litter patrols that take place around every restaurant three times a day. Employees cover a total of 5,000 miles each week picking up all waste, be it its own packaging or that of other restaurants and retailers.”
Mr Lamph continued: “Alongside our practical and operational initiatives, we are committed to investing in proactive campaigns that help bring about behavioural change in relation to important societal and environmental issues such as littering.”
