Do these brands and logos look familiar to you? I bet they are! These brands are commonly referred to as fast-food chains which serve mass-produced food with great emphasis on their speed of service.
Once created as a commercial strategy to appeal to busy commuters and workers, where the speed of service was prioritised, fast-food has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry with revenues of over $570 billion each year globally (Sena, n.d.).
Indeed, fast-food has unknowingly become apart of our lives. In Singapore, the introduction of fast-food chain A&W Family Restaurant in 1968 has paved the way for other fast-food restaurants to venture into the Singapore market from the 1970s, including Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s and more (Omar, 2019). At present, the fast-food industry in Singapore is worth over a billion with SingStat figures showing that it generated a total of $1.1 billion in operating receipts in 2016 (Lim & Neo, 2019).
More than the favourable economic impacts (as articulated above, due to the high demand for fast-food both globally and in Singapore), it is worth noting that the fast-food industry has a relatively huge impact on the environment as well.
Before consumption, the production of meat and dairy farming alone contributes to environmental issues such as atmospheric pollution.
First, deforestation may occur to clear forested lands to make way for animal farming. The process of deforestation contributes to an increased amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere through the dual-process of removing carbon sinks and emissions from land clearance through burning.
Next, the farming process further exacerbates the pollution situation through the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). From McGrath (2019), agricultural emissions, particularly those from meat and dairy, contribute 70% of the total allowable GHG emissions. Here, the production of meat and dairy to cater to the ever-expanding fast-food industry clearly have polluting effects on the environment.
But, pollution does not end at the production phase.
Upon consumption, plastic waste from the packaging and storing of fast-food is generated. These plastic wastes contribute to a variety of pollution forms – from land pollution via litters, to aquatic pollution via the transportation of litters, and to atmospheric pollution when plastics are being incinerated or left to degrade in the environment. To obtain more detailed information on the effects of plastics from food packaging, read here.
All in all, this blog post seeks to raise awareness on the pollution effects of our consumption of fast-food. While fast-food is a highly desirable food option given its delightful taste, the convenience of purchase and affordable prices, it is important for us, as consumers, to be aware of the environmental impacts our consumption so as to make a more conscious and informed decision.
Stay tuned for our next post!
References:
Lim, J., & Neo, R. (2019, June 08). The Big Read in short: S’poreans’ love for fast food. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/big-read-short-sporeans-love-fast-food
McGrath, M. (2019, January 29). Fast food giants under fire on climate and water usage. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47029485
Omar, M. (2019, May). Fast-food chains. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1037_2008-12-03.html
Sena, M. (n.d.). Fast Food Industry Analysis 2020 – Cost & Trends. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.franchisehelp.com/industry-reports/fast-food-industry-analysis-2020-cost-trends/