Fast Food Industry
Fast food franchises are prevalent due to their affordability and convenience but have significant environmental impacts. Learn about how these fast-food franchises are bad for the environment and you!
Fast Food Industry
Fast food chains like McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, and Chipotle have been dominating the food industry for many years due to their cheap cost, convenience, and countless menu options. The industry has advanced and changed over time with the help of useful innovations such as mobile apps, drive-throughs, GrubHub, and assembly lines. These fast food chains enhance the customer’s experience through personalized offers and rewards as well as efficient order-processing systems like kiosks.
Despite its positive attributes, fast food’s negative environmental impact outweighs its benefits. From the fast food industries to the consumers who are purchasing this food, they are all leaving a long-lasting impact on our planet. Even though fast food may be delicious, the cost on our planet makes it seem unappetizing.
Environmental Impacts From Fast Food Industries:
Deforestation:
Fast food companies like McDonald’s and Burger King have been criticized for their harmful environmental practices. For example, deforestation has been linked to beef production as fast food companies have to clear enough space to raise cattle for low-cost hamburgers. To do this, they cut down tons of trees and plants to make room for these cattle to live.
Fortunately, these companies have recognized their previous faults and are working to improve sustainability and reduce their environmental footprint.
Greenhouse Gas Release:
Food production exacerbates climate change due to the emission of significant amounts of greenhouse gases. The physical production of food, handling of cattle, and transportation create an abundance of carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, the food waste in landfills generates methane, which speeds up the effects of global warming. Cattle also contribute to the amounts of methane when they belch.
Packaging:
Fast food companies serve their food in waste materials such as paper, plastic, foam, and aluminum, most of which are non-biodegradable and often do not end up in recycling bins. The improper disposal of these materials contributes to the overwhelming of landfills.
In addition, many customers leave their trash behind or drop it on the floor for “convenience.” This in turn adds to the already pre-existing pollution dilemma on our planet. Animals can mistake the packaging for food, possibly falling ill or choking. ** Food Waste:**
According to Skip Shapiro, the U.S. generates approximately 22 to 33 billion pounds of restaurant food waste annually. Food waste from restaurants makes up 15 percent of all the food that ends up in landfills. These are alarming statistics as this is food that could’ve been given to food shelters or pets. Not only does the food go to waste, but innocent animals’ lives are taken for essentially no purpose.
Fast Food Effects on Humans:
Worker Exploitation:
Fast food franchises have continuously violated traditional labor standards. Many of these industries are only working to make a profit and couldn’t care less about their employees’ working conditions. Many fast food workers have experienced wage theft, health and safety hazards during the job, and injuries due to poor work environments. Management must be held accountable for these actions.
Obesity/ Poor Diet:
Fast food is fast, cheap, and convenient because it truly is unhealthy food. Those who consume fast food two or more times per week are 50% more likely to become obese compared to those consuming it less than once per week. There are studies showing that a fast food diet is associated with a higher body mass index and weight gain. Obesity can lead to many health effects like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and high cholesterol.
Not only is fast food harming our environment and animals alike, but it is also harming people within our society who are not educated enough on the health problems associated with consuming too much fast food. Fast food may be the only option for families that are struggling financially and can only afford cheap meals.
Fast food companies should do their best to be more sustainable and make their food healthier for the well-being of their customers and the environment.
Recap:
Fast food franchises are prevalent due to their affordability and convenience but have significant environmental impacts. Key issues include deforestation linked to beef production, the use of waste materials like paper and plastic, and improper disposal leading to pollution. Customers often contribute to littering, which harms wildlife. Additionally, a significant amount of food is wasted each year, which could be better utilized for donations or feeding animals.
Fast food industries have often violated workers’ labor conditions, leading to issues such as wage theft, unsafe health conditions, and injuries. Additionally, a diet high in fast food is linked to increased body mass index and weight gain, which can result in health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and high cholesterol.
Author: Priya Connelly
Editor: Madeline Cabral