Case Study McDonald’s
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
p. 1
Worksheet 5 : McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
Read the following text and then answer the questions:
In Tokyo’s McDonald’s restaurants, there are ‘waste separation bins’, and there
are pictures of waste materials to be recovered, so that even
kids can easily recognize them. Different waste materials
are to be put in different recovery bins: plastic materials
such as stirrers, straws, cup lids go into the same bin, and
paper materials such as paper cups, chips holders into
another, and left-over drinks and ice cubes go into a
separate bucket.
1.
Does Hong Kong’s fast food industry live up to the concept of environmental
protection? Brief explain your opinion.
Free answers from students
Suggested Answers
The fast food industry in Hong Kong tends to use large quantities of paper products
such as tray liners, paper bags, paper cups and serviette, plastic products such as
straws, plastic bags, and non-decomposable items such as foam rice boxes and cups
for hot drinks.
These products are not separated and recovered after use, and so a lot of waste is
produced.
2.
What difficulties do Hong Kong’s fast food industry encounter in tableware
recovering?
Free answers from students.
Suggested Answers
(1) The general public does not have a high awareness of environmental protection.
Case Study McDonald’s
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
p. 2
Hong Kong people are not used to separating leftovers before disposing them because
usually restaurant attendants will do that for them. (2) The government is not giving
enough support to the environmental protection industry. (3) Waste separation means
more workload (manpower) and higher operational cost, and might affect efficiency.
Group Discussion
What suggestions do you have for the fast food industry in reducing paper, plastic, or
foam waste?
Case Study McDonald’s
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
p. 3
Fast Food Culture and Health
Young people normally are very receptive to fast food. Students often visit fast
food restaurants on holidays or when they hold birthday parties or gatherings. They
are particularly attracted to Western style fast food restaurants, since these have
eye-catching banners, innovative decors, an relaxing eating environment, and free
small gifts that come with the meal. But when we enjoy the speediness, cleanliness
and novelty associated with fast food, we often forget that eating fast food often
harms our health.
Fast food is cooked mainly by deep-frying. It has a lot of calories, but very little
nutrients, like vitamins and minerals. Most drinks in fast food restaurants contain a
high level of sugar. Therefore, if we eat fast food often, we will take in more calories
than our body needs. The excess calories will turn into fat and we’ll become fat.
Fatness will increase our chance of becoming diabetic and getting high blood pressure.
Therefore, for health’s sake, it is not healthy for primary and high school students to
eat fast food on a frequent basis, totally inappropriate to make fast food a regular
lunch.
Case Study McDonald’s
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
p. 4
Some interesting numbers
How much do you know about calories in fast food?
Hong Kong McDonald’s Calories (Kcal)
Hong Kong
McDonald’s
French Fries
450，320，210 Double Cheeseburger
(large, medium, small)
Big Mac
360
Coca-Cola (16 ounce)
Deluxe Breakfast Meal
510
Chocolate milkshake
Sauce (mustard, sweet
Hash Brown
130
& sour, barbeque)
Filet-O-Fish
360
Chocolate Sundae
Hot Cake + Butter and
Bacon & Egg McMuffin
290
Syrup
Chicken McNuggets
Hamburger
260
(6 pieces)
Sausage & Egg
440
McChicken
McMuffin
Sausage McMuffin
360
Apple Pie
Calories (Kcal)
520
310
360
60，50，45
340
410
290
510
260
Source: http://www.mcdonalds.com.hk/english/eatsmart/avm.htm
How many calories do we need?
Generally speaking, each day a male adult needs about 1910-2340 calories and a
female adult needs about 1640-1980 calories in order to maintain an ideal body
weight. Of course, calorie consumption varies according to our constitution, height,
health condition, and amount of exercise. But based on the above information, our
body will take in too much calories if we eat fast food often, and that will be harmful
to our health.
Source: http://www.fehd.gov.hk/niis/nmenu_energy.shtml
Case Study McDonald’s
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
p. 5
Extended Activities
Movie-Supersize Me
Why are Americans so fat? What would happen if you ate nothing but fast food for an
entire month? Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock started an ‘experiment’ to see the effect of
fast food on people’s health. He must follow the rules: for 30 days he can't eat or drink
anything that isn't on McDonald's menu; he must take three meals a day; he must
consume everything on the menu at least once and supersize his meal if asked.
Can fast food be healthy?
Case Study McDonald’s
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
p. 6
McDonald’s Versus Hong Kong-style Café Restaurants
You are a reporter of food magazine Student Food Lovers. You are working on an
article that compares McDonald’s with Hong Kong-style café restaurants. Now go to
eat at a Hong Kong style café restaurant (not franchised) near your school and at any
McDonald’s. Compare the two types of restaurants in terms of good and bad points,
and write a report. The report should have three parts:
A.
Scores
Compare the conditions of the two and give a score
from 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest.
A higher score means a greater degree of satisfaction
and you are more ready to recommended it to your
classmates. After filling in the form, add up the total to
find out which score higher. The maximum score is
120.
B.
Interviewing Customers
Interview at least two customers (such as those who
visit the restaurants with you) by asking:
（1） Why did you choose to come here?
（2） What improvements should be made for the
premises and the food?
C.
Food recommendation
Pick a meal item from the restaurant and introduce its special features to your readers.
Case Study McDonald’s
A.
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
p. 7
McDonald’s Versus Hong Kong-style Café Restaurants – Score Sheet
McDonald’s
Location
Time
Is the restaurant spacious?
(1-10 points)
Is the restaurant too crowded?
(1-10 points)
Do you need to wait to get a table?
(1-10 points)
Is the interior decoration pleasing
to you? (1-10 points)
Are there many choices for food?
(1-10 points)
Are you happy with the waiter’s
service? (1-10 points)
Are you happy with the food?
(1-10 points)
Are you happy with the food
hygiene (1-10 points)
Does the air inside the restaurant
feel clean? (1-10 points)
Are the toilets clearn?
(1-10 points)
Are the prices reasonable? (1-10
points)
What is your general impression?
(1-10 points)
Total (120)
Hong Kong-style café
restaurant
Case Study McDonald’s
1.
Worksheet 5
McDonald’s and Environmental Protection
Why do you think ___________________ restaurant score higher points?
Students make a brief summary based on the score given.
2.
What are the areas for improvement?
Free answers from students.
B.
Interviewing Customers
（1） Why did you choose to come here?
（2） What improvements should be made for the premises and the food?
C. Food Recommendation
I strongly recommend to readers:
It has the following special features:
p. 8