McDonald’s Corporation will be honored for its significant “green” efforts by being featured on an outdoor billboard during the month of July. Drivers will see the outdoor ad going eastbound on I-290, just east of Racine Avenue in Chicago. McDonald’s is one of 12 exemplary businesses chosen to be the focus of a new billboard advertising campaign running during the summer ozone season.
The billboard campaign is part of “Clean Air Counts,” a program sponsored by the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus, which encourages companies to make a difference in Chicago’s air quality by reducing pollution emissions. The goal of Clean Air Counts is to encourage businesses, communities, and other organizations to reduce volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide pollutants released into the air every day. To date, the efforts of these Clean Air Counts participants have reduced pollution by nearly 3 million pounds.
“These corporations deserve to be recognized for their work,” says Mayor Thomas Murawski, Clean Air Counts Chairman for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “They’ve used more energy-efficient construction materials in their buildings and changed the way they conduct business to help the environment.”
In 2007, McDonald’s Corporation reduced 80,855 pounds of air pollution by switching to environment-friendly lighting, cleaning products, paint, chemicals, and office equipment at its global headquarters. “McDonald’s Corporation has a long history of environmental leadership,” says Joe Endress, corporation vice president, faciliites and systems. “We’re proud of the positive impact we are having on the environment as a result of efficiencies in our global headquarters, and we’re grateful to be recognized by Clean Air Counts.”
Eve Pytel, Clean Air Counts program director, reports that more than 500 businesses and organizations have joined the program and agreed to voluntarily reduce air pollution emissions. The purpose of the advertising campaign is to reward successful Clean Air Counts adopters and to encourage participation from other Chicago area businesses.
The campaign kicks off July 1. In addition to McDonald’s, the following companies are featured in ads in Crain’s Chicago Business and on billboards located on the Bishop Ford, I-57, Route 83, Eisenhower, I-290, I-294, and Roosevelt Road: Shedd Aquarium, Chicago; Pella Windows and Doors, West Chicago; Jones Lang LaSalle, Chicago; Wyndemere Senior Living Campus, Wheaton; Hewitt Associates, Chicago; Nicor Gas, Naperville; Little Company of Mary, Evergreen Park; Spraylat, Chicago; Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe; Navistar Engine Group, Melrose Park; and Marianjoy, Wheaton.
