One year on from kicking off its highly publicised ‘Don’t be a tosser’ campaign, which was aimed at tackling the growing problem of litter being thrown onto our streets, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has stepped-up its commitment to the cause.
Once again, KFC will be partnering environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, to highlight this major UK issue. This year’s Great British Spring Clean is already underway to provide support for thousands of litter-pickers in their battle to deal with this anti-social behaviour.
During the Great British Spring Clean, approximately 3,000 KFC staff members will assist in collecting over 20,000 bags of litter. These men and women will be supported by community litter picking groups and local councillors.
Statistics have shown that £1bn is spent each year cleaning up our streets, as volunteers and local council workers face the difficult task of removing the 30 million tonnes of litter that is dropped annually.
According to a recent press release from KFC, the franchise ‘is urging litter-pickers across the country to apply to a voucher scheme being offered in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy. Vouchers can be exchanged for litter-picking equipment, and groups and individuals can apply via the Keep Britain Tidy website.’
Litter becomes a greater problem during the warmer months, when people spend more time outside of their homes. And the press release continued: ‘KFC has outlined a package of measures and commitments, which represent a joint-effort between businesses, communities and local authorities. They have come together to tackle the nation’s litter crisis.’
These initiatives include:
1) New bin trials: Specially designed recycling points to encourage KFC customers to recycle their drinks’ cups, liquids, paper, food and any other waste. This is being piloted in Manchester in partnership with Biffa. There are plans to roll this out near KFC restaurants across the UK.
2) Behaviour changing campaigns. By partnering with local councils, KFC will trial new ways to tackle littering. This will involve the publicising of local anti-littering marketing messages, along with the creation of new rubbish bins. KFC will continue with the slogan ‘Don’t Be A Tosser’, as well as using drive thru signage, in-restaurant audio and menu boards that encourage responsible behaviour regarding litter waste.
3) Daily litter picking. The workforce at KFC’s 1,000-plus UK restaurants will undertake the task of removing litter from streets close to their outlets.
4) KFC mailbox. This will encourage communities to directly report any litter issues close to KFC restaurants.
5) Training initiatives for KFC’s 28,000 team members: Aimed at furthering the knowledge of team members in their daily battle to reduce littering. Those who undertake these initiatives will learn more about the environmental impact caused by litter.
Jenny Packwood, KFC’s chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, said: “Litter is an eyesore which we all hate to see in our communities. The work that local litter-picking groups are doing to improve their communities is incredible. And this is why we are now offering funding to these local heroes across the country.
“But we can’t just rely on the good will of local groups to keep our communities’ litter free. At KFC we take our responsibility to reduce the impact of litter very seriously. We are already investing in daily litter picks around our restaurants, as well as creating innovative new bins, while promoting new and existing anti-littering campaigns.
