Naturally Fast Food brand LEON is the first fast food brand to serve a carbon-neutral burger and fries range in its restaurants.
Launching as part of a new menu on 13th January, the carbon neutral items will make it easier for guests to learn more about the environmental impact of their food choices and choose options which lower their own personal carbon footprint, as LEON continues with its commitment to offer food that tastes good, does you good, is affordable and is kind to the planet.
LEON is measuring, reducing and offsetting the carbon footprint of their burgers and fries, with support from solution provider ClimatePartner1. This is done by measuring the CO2 emissions from the whole supply chain which includes all LEON’s ingredients, any packaging used and its waste, as well as emissions from prep in their restaurant kitchens. LEON uses 100% green electricity (no gas) in its kitchens supplied by Ecotricity.
The carbon neutral dishes include the new Vegan Sweet Carolina BBQ burgers, as well as the new recipe LOVe Burger, and their baked waffle fries. LEON’s popular LOVe burger is now made with a new recipe pea protein patty from plant based producer Meatless Farm3, which has also helped the menu item have a lower impact.
The carbon footprint of these menu items will be offset with rainforest conservation projects in South America, as well as a progressive new afforestation project in the UK.
Kirsty Saddler, Values and Sustainability Director at LEON said,“Being kind to the planet has been at the heart of LEON since we launched in 2004. We are working to reduce our emissions and achieve a net zero target by 2030, offsetting unavoidable emissions, with reforestation and afforestation projects, is an important commitment for us as we work towards that long-term target.
“Partnering with Meatless Farm and ClimatePartner to become the UK’s first fast food restaurant to launch a carbon-neutral burger and fries range on the high-street is an important next step for us as a sustainable business. The future of fast food must be kinder to the planet.”
The launch is an important step for the business as it aims to reach net zero by 2030, by reporting on and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and furthering work to support biodiversity. This is aligned with the Council for Sustainable Business4 commitments which the brand signed up to in June 2020.