WHAT: This Earth Day, local McDonald’s Owner/Operator, Ric Richards announces the launch of the Good Neighbor, Good Grounds recycling program, which is a part of a larger statewide McDonald’s initiative. This program is designed to divert thousands of pounds of used coffee grounds from the waste stream by donating them to area gardens in an effort to add nutrients such as nitrogen to soil or compost.

A typical McDonald’s restaurant creates about 66 lbs. of coffee grounds per week or around 3,500 lbs. a year. Instead of throwing them in the waste, the restaurant collects the grounds and makes them readily available for their garden partner to pick up and utilize as needed. Here locally, Cary High School will be picking up 22 quarts of grounds each week to use in their school garden. Quick facts on how coffee grounds help a garden:

Used grounds are pH neutral, bringing the acidity of garden soil down

Grounds also slowly release nitrogen into soil, providing a steady supply to plants, rather than the quick spike of nitrogen that commercial fertilizer gives

Grounds can also be added to compost piles as organic material

Community members and families are invited to join in the Earth Day celebration by visiting the restaurant at 1830 Walnut St to enjoy the following:

Pick up a free hot or iced McCafe coffee (any size) by using the McDonald’s mobile app

Learn more about the program through interactive booths

Allow your kids to enjoy a planting/recycling activity

Pick up your own grounds to use in your personal garden

Hear from the local garden partner, Cary High School about their experience.

If an organization or school is interested in partnering with a local McDonald’s restaurant, they can either contact their local FFA group or email NCMcDonaldsInfo@gmail.com for more information.

WHO:  Local McDonald’s Owner/Operator, Ric Richards

Cary High School teacher Chariti Brewer

WHEN:            Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE: McDonald’s at 1830 Walnut St, Cary NC 27511