ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Chick-fil-A will begin converting its used cooking oil into renewable transportation fuel via a partnership with Darling Ingredients Inc., the companies announced in a news release.
"We admire Chick-fil-A's commitment to reducing food waste and are proud to be part of a solution that keeps food waste out of our landfills while delivering a renewable fuel that reduces GHG emissions," said Sandra Dudley, Darling Ingredients executive vice president, renewables and U.S. specialty operations.
Texas-based Darling Ingredient’s service brand DAR PRO Solutions will collect used cooking oil from all Chick-fil-A restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, and its Diamond Green Diesel Venture will convert the used oil to diesel.
"At Chick-fil-A, we are committed to caring and that includes caring for others through our food and caring for our planet," said Rodney Bullard, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A. "Our innovative partnership with DAR PRO Solutions helps us be responsible stewards of the resources at our restaurants and allows us to support the future of renewable transportation fuel—all while positively influencing the communities we serve."
Restaurants are finding ways to be greener. Starbucks is testing ways to phase out its iconic disposable cups for reusable options. The coffee chain plans to allow customers to use their own mugs or borrow a ceramic or reusable to-go mug from their local Starbucks by 2025. By next year, customers will be able to use their own personal mugs at every Starbucks in the United States and Canada, even if they order ahead or use the drive-thru.
More convenience retailers are turning to sustainable packaging to keep food and drinks fresh and warm. Learn more in the NACS Magazine article “Package Deal,” published in the January 2022 issue.
More than half of all convenience store customers (54%) say they’d like to see more recycling at their local c-store, according to NACS data. NACS offers a resource in partnership with CMI on the value of can and bottle recycling, which offers tips and suggestions for improving current practices, how to effectively communicate the goals of the program with staff and customers, as well as a checklist to help retailers reduce contamination in their recycling bins.