Greenpeace activists have scaled the headquarters of the world’s largest fast food company (1) and deployed a giant banner depicting a Sumatran tiger on the front pillars of the iconic KFC building. The banner read: ‘KFC Stop Trashing My Home’.
“We’re here today to expose KFC’s secret recipe. KFC customers worldwide will be horrified to learn that the fast food giant is using rainforests to make its packaging.
“The decisions being made here at KFC HQ are fuelling the destruction of some of the world’s last remaining rainforests, driving climate change and pushing the Sumatran tiger closer to extinction,” said Greenpeace Forest Campaign Director, Rolf Skar.
To launch its global campaign against KFC’s role in rainforest destruction, Greenpeace also released a new report: ‘Junking the Jungle: How KFC is driving deforestation in Indonesia’. (2)
Scientific testing and chain of custody research shows that some of KFC’s packaging comes from Indonesian rainforests and the company is sourcing paper from Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) – one of the world’s most notorious forest destroyers and a company recently found using illegal timber.
Over sixty major companies across the world – such as Mattel, Xerox, Unilever, Kraft and Kroger – have suspended purchases from APP.
“Other companies recognize that rainforest destruction is bad for business and that trading with APP is a peril to their brand. Other companies including, major competitor, McDonald’s have taken some steps to address their impact on rainforests. (3)
“KFC, and its parent company YUM! must stop buying packaging from APP and commit to a policy that protects rainforests.
“With only 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild today, time is running out for these fast food giants to clean up their act,” said Skar.
Greenpeace offices around the world, from China to the UK, have launched an online campaign with a KFC parody website asking people to help save the forests and endangered Sumatran tigers. Visit www.KFC-secretrecipe.com for details.
Notes:
1. YUM! Foods Inc. claim to be the largest fast food restaurant company in the world: www.yum.com/company/inthenews/pressreleases/092311.asp
2. A full report outlining the role of APP and KFC in rainforest destruction is available here: www.greenpeace.org/international/KFCreport
3. McDonalds website ‘Sustainable Land Management commitment’: http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/sustainability/signature_programs/sustainable_land_management_commitment.html
4. The ‘Secret Recipe for Destruction’ animation can be viewed here: www.KFC-secretrecipe.com