The Environmental Protection Agency Victoria (EPA) expects to be paid $15,381 by KFC, McDonald’s, and Hungry Jacks for environmental pollution fines for spilling cooking oil.
The trio has been caught “allowing cooking oil and waste liquids” to escape storm drains.
The agency demands that fast food chains “clean up their act” and dispose of their waste in collection tanks.
KFC has to fork out $7,689, while Hungry Jacks and McDonalds have each been fined $3,846.
The EPA will be recommending what steps should be taken to stop it from happening again.
Cooking oils in stormwater drains
Environmental officers at the EPA became aware of the risk at KFC in Moonee Ponds when cooking oils and cleaning chemicals were directly poured into stormwater drains.
Officers also fined KFC for “litter containment and management practices.”
Hungry Jacks’ in Preston on Bell Street didn’t manage waste liquids, including cooking oil, released into the stormwater drains.
McDonalds staff in Kingsbury in Plenty Road allowed waste oil to escape to the stormwater drain rather than putting it into the collection tank.
These fast food chains must follow the EPA’s instructions to rectify the damage or “face possible further financial penalties.”
Better controls in place
The EPA’s Steve Lansdell urges restaurants to do better. “Oil and cooking wastes do not belong in our drain networks.”
There are also concerns about litter management. Wrappers and drink containers are not being properly disposed of.
KFC, McDonald’s, and Hungry Jacks’ Australian offices have been contacted to reiterate their role in ensuring their employees protect the environment.
There are concerns about “too many reports” of wrappers and drink containers discarded improperly.
Compliance with EPA
McDonald’s spokesperson told Franchise Executives the incident was “isolated. She further confirmed that training had been given to avoid another environmental hazard.
KFC has addressed the issue with the entire restaurant network and the importance of compliance to ensure the industry’s safety.
Hungry Jacks’ told news.com.au it had taken “additional precautions.” This includes moving the waste oil collection tank away from the stormwater drain.
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Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
