McDonald's: A study in rural litter

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This is a snapshot of how McDonalds is impacting the rural environment.

On 28th September 2008 I cycled a 19km circuit in the Cotswolds and plotted and photographed every item of McDonalds litter I passed. The map on the right shows the route and where I found the litter. Scroll down for the photos.

Zoom out on the map, you will see the nearest McDonald's outlets are 5-6 miles away at Barnwood (Gloucester), Cheltenham and Cirencester.

What I think this snap shot shows is:
1) McDonald's litter is widespread in the countryside.
2) McDonald's business has an adverse impact on the environment, not just in the immediate vicinity of an outlet, but in the countryside several miles away.

I think this needs to change. It should be possible to go for a cycle ride in the countryside, in a region classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and not see McDonald's litter every few hundred yards.

McDonald's already acknowledges some responsibility for littering in the immediate vicinity of their outlets by claiming their staff undertake regular litter picks. They now need to accept responsibility for the wider littering of their take-out product. Government needs to make it worth their while to reduce this littering by charging them for the clear up, in accordance with the "polluter pays" principle.


1. On the way up Seven Springs Hill, A435 Cirencester Road		2. A bit further up Sevevn Springs Hill


3. At the top of Seven Springs hill

4. A435 near Cowley


5. On the Elkstone road just off, A435		6. Going up the hill to Elkstone

7. A couple of hundred metres up the road from the last one.

McDonalds Litter

8. On single track lane 1/4 mile short of Brimpsfield

McDonalds Litter

9. Just after Brimpsfield


10. In gateway, midway between Brimpsfield and Birdlip		11. Just outside Birdlip


12. Near junction with A417, Birdlip		13. Layby near Hot Air Balloon pub, A417


14. B4070, near Crikley Hill Country Park.		15. 1/4 mile further on, B4070 Leckhampton Hill

16. 100 yards further on, B4070 Leckhampton Hill