August 20th 2024.
Three popular fast food chains have recently been fined for allowing cooking oil and waste liquids to enter storm drains in their Melbourne outlets. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) of Victoria has taken action against McDonald's, Hungry Jacks, and KFC after receiving reports of pollution.
According to the EPA, a KFC outlet in Moonee Ponds was fined $5769 when a staff member was caught on camera spilling the contents of a container out of the shop's back door and into the drain. The store was also fined $1920 for littering. A spokesperson for KFC stated that the company takes their responsibility for environmental protection seriously and has reminded their restaurants to follow proper procedures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The EPA also reported that a Hungry Jacks store in Preston did not properly manage their waste liquids, including cooking oil, which ended up in stormwater drains. The store was issued an improvement notice and fined $3846. A spokesperson for Hungry Jacks explained that the company took immediate action when a spill was observed earlier this year and has since reinforced their maintenance routine and protocols for waste oil storage and collection.
Meanwhile, a McDonald's outlet in Kingsbury was also fined $3846 after their staff were found allowing waste oil to escape into the stormwater drain instead of putting it into the collection tank. A spokesperson for McDonald's stated that the incident, which occurred in March, has been resolved and that they take their responsibility as a local business seriously.
EPA West Metropolitan regional manager Steve Lansdell emphasized the importance of proper waste management and how it is everyone's duty to protect the environment. He also mentioned that the EPA has contacted the Australian offices of all three chains, as well as their franchise holders, to address the issue. Lansdell also raised concerns about litter management and reminded the fast food chains of their responsibility to properly dispose of their packaging.
In response to the reports, 9news.com.au reached out to Hungry Jacks for comment. Additionally, they have also invited their audience to stay updated on breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news through their WhatsApp channel, promising no comments, no algorithms, and complete privacy.
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