Day 007 - 06 Jul 94 - Page 05
1 environmental science at the time and reflects the times.
2 Q. If McDonald's say, for example: "Look, we think we are
using too much of this, that or the other substance", is
3 it then left to you to find a means of achieving that
goal?
4 A. Yes. We would source alternatives for them and make
recommendations to them, but it is their final decision on
5 what is used.
6 Q. Perhaps my question might be better put like this: To
what extent do you, Perseco, have any initiative in these
7 matters?
A. Well, we do take great initiative in matters. We
8 certainly follow the direction that McDonald's gives us
and seek alternative packaging for them as they request,
9 but our philosophy is to do good business, to bring them
alternatives they may not have considered that we may be
10 aware of, but always to give them the request of packaging
they ask for.
11
Q. We are conscious in this court that there are -- it maybe
12 a slightly crude maxim -- three Rs of waste restriction or
confinement limitation: Reduction, recycling and re-use?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. Is that a part of your relationship or your activities on
behalf of McDonald's?
15 A. Yes. That is how essentially we evaluate the
environmental impacts, evaluate packaging, to try to
16 reduce. The first R reduce; the second R re-use; the
third R recycle; or we put it "recycle content". Since we
17 are packaging designers we try to address recycling with
recycle content.
18
We certainly try to reduce the packaging as much as
19 possible, provide the minimum amount of material to
perform the function without jeopardising the integrity of
20 the package. We try to evaluate re-usable packaging,
though it has not been a great success for us or for
21 McDonald's. We include recycled content in much of our
packaging.
22
Q. I want to ask you a little more about recycling in due
23 course, but can I ask you this: The two main forms of
packaging used by McDonald's are polystyrene foam and
24 paper. I do not put those in any order of priority. Is
that right?
25 A. Yes, even broader polystyrene and paper, yes.
26 Q. Yes. As to the technical or practical possibilities of
recycling, is there a difference between those two
27 substances?
A. Yes. It is a wholly different recycling process,
28 although going through similar stages of collection,
transportation, sortation, cleaning and remanufacturing of
29 the material.
30 Q. But in the practical result in point of benefit, if it is
a benefit, does either of them have a better score?
