Many fast-food restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon to reduce their environmental impact. From meatless burgers to compostable cutlery, the fast food industry is changing for the better. Since 1993, Chipotle Mexican Grill has served Mexican fast food to customers across the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company is committed to supporting organic land and soil health, maintaining animal and welfare standards, and employing sustainable agriculture practices that help prevent water pollution and protect water quality.
Chipotle has transitioned to organic farming and has partnered with Coastal Fresh Farms to implement the first-ever commercial organic cilantro. In 2022, 22 million pounds of organic and transitional ingredients, including rice, beans and produce, were purchased, and more than 200 acres of farmland were converted to organic. The company has received award-winning certifications for their animal welfare standards. All of the cows, chicken and pigs used to supply their restaurants are strictly vegetarian, and 100% of the milk in their sour cream, cheese and queso comes from cows that have not been treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (a synthetic hormone that is marketed to dairy farmers to increase milk production).
In 2022, Chipotle sourced 3.8 million pounds of organic avocados, with a significant difference in water usage between conventional and organic avocados. Their organic growing of soybeans also uses less contaminated and polluted greywater. The River Point Farms, which supplies Chipotle with its onions, uses drip irrigation, reducing water usage by up to 12 inches per year with less evaporation.
Within the restaurants, 3197 restaurants are managing water use through recovery, reuse, recycling and proper wastewater disposal. And over 400 gallons of water is saved every minute with low-flow dish sink sprayers in over 3000 restaurants. As part of its goal to become net zero by 2040, Chipotle is trying out an all-electric restaurant powered by 100 per cent solar power. Some of the features of their new restaurants include heat pump water heaters, cactus leather seats, electric grills which would replace their gas grills, rooftop solar panels and EV charging stations at some locations.
Chipotle plans to have more than 100 new locations in 2024 that utilize all-electric equipment and at least some additional elements from its new design. Restaurants incorporating the new design have already opened in Jacksonville, Florida, and Gloucester, Virginia.
Chiptole has also improved the sustainability of its packaging. In 2022, all of its napkins, bags, burrito bowls and trays for kid’s meals and quesadillas were made from biodegradable natural fibers. The company has donated over 282 000 pounds of leftover food to community groups as part of its Harvest Program. They have also released the first-of-its-kind sustainability tracker called Read Foodprint, which allows customers to track the environmental impact of their orders.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is making significant efforts to reduce their environmental impact, from harvesting their produce to the packaging in which their foods are served. Their commitment to the planet is commendable, and they are well on making fast food a sustainable food option.
