Greenpeace accuses American chain restaurant KFC of killing Indonesian rainforests, reports Daily Mail. The non-governmental organization that advocates for environmental protection, says the famous boxes used for Bucket menus and packaging materials for various other types of KFC products come from deforestation in Indonesia. In a recent report published by Greenpeace, the NGO shows that after tests carried out on containers used for packing KFC wings, manufactured in three regions of the world, wood fibers were found specific to tropical trees.
Many tropical trees are in danger, considering that the region loses annually 5 million acres of forests, Global Forest Watch research shows. These trees are the main source of defense against climate change. Also, they are the habitat of many animal species protected by law, for example Sumatran tigers. Greenpeace tests included cans and plastic cups used by KFC franchise owners, but also the napkins and packaging used in the past two years for Bucket menus in Indonesia, UK and China.
Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) produces paper and paper products and has signed agreements with Yum! Brand, parent company of KFC. The biggest APP paper mill located in Indonesia, on the Sumatra island, is the largest global supplier of pulp and paper, writes the Daily Mail.
In China, the largest KFC business market, more than half of the materials used for Bucket menus contains traces of wood, specific to Indonesian rain forests, Greenpeace report said. There are over 3,700 KFC restaurants in China. More than half of American chain profit is generated by the Chinese market and 72 other emerging markets where KFC operates.
The representatives of KFC in the UK denied accusations by Greenpeace report. “100% of packaging used by KFC in the United Kingdom and Ireland are obtained through recycling and other sustainable sources. None of the two markets or any other supplier buy from APP” said a spokesman for KFC UK & Ireland for MailOnline. APP commented on Greenpeace report: “As long as APP activity is concerned in this conflict, we emphasize that Mixed Tropical Hardwood products do not come from tropical logging in Indonesia.”
“APP has strict policies and its activities take place in locations that ensure that only logging residues from degraded areas and sustainable wood fibers enter the manufacturing supply chain,” stated the company.
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