McDonald’s has retrained its staff after being among three major fast food chains fined for its workers illegally dumping used oil into storm drains.
KFC, Hungry Jack’s and McDonald’s franchises in Melbourne’s north have been fined between $3,800 and more than $7,500 following a series of pollution reports, Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said on Monday.
A KFC worker in Moonee Ponds was caught red-handed after being photographed emptying a container of cooking oil and cleaning chemicals into storm drains.
The franchise was fined $5,769 for dumping cleaning chemicals and an additional $1,920 for littering.
Hungry Jack’s in Preston was fined $3,846 after the EPA found workers were not properly handling wastewater and pouring cooking oil into storm drains instead of placing it in collection tanks for proper disposal.
The regulator also fined McDonald’s Kingsbury franchise $3,846 in March after staff were found disposing of used oil into storm drains.
A McDonald’s spokeswoman said all affected employees have been “thoroughly trained on correct processes and procedures.”
“This was an isolated incident and all McDonald’s restaurants are required to use established systems to dispose of used oil correctly,” he said.
A KFC worker at Moonee Ponds was caught red-handed after being photographed emptying a container of cooking oil and cleaning chemicals into storm drains (file photo)
“We take our responsibility as a local business very seriously and understand how important it is to do the right thing for our people, our communities and the environment.”
KFC and Hungry Jacks have also been contacted for comment.
We all have a duty to protect the environment, says the EPA, which has written to fast food outlets reminding them to enforce the rules.
“Oil and cooking waste do not belong in our sewers,” said EPA Administrator Steve Lansdell.
‘Large fast food franchises should have controls in place and their staff should be trained to understand how to manage their waste.’
The agency also expressed concern that beverage wrappers and containers are not being disposed of properly.
‘(The chains) have a responsibility to manage the environmental problems created by the sale of their products and that includes their packaging.’