Day 061 - 05 Dec 94 - Page 27

     
     1
     2   Q.   It made sense economically but not ecologically?  In fact,
     3        they were actually in direct contradiction to McDonald's
     4        stated policy on not using ozone depleters going back four
     5        or five years?
     6        A.  That -- we have always acknowledged that Turkey was but
     7        it was because there was a supplier in place.  They have
     8        moved as quickly as they can and, as you now know, they
     9        changed in June of this year to hydrocarbons.
    10
    11   Q.   If we move on to paragraph 29?
    12
    13   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can we put those bundles back or will you be
    14        coming to them in a little while?
    15
    16   MR. MORRIS:  We do not need them for the moment.  Sorry, we were
    17        on paragraph 30.  Helen is going to deal with this
    18        paragraph.
    19
    20   MS. STEEL:  You mentioned in your statement that in Germany and
         Austria there are environmental concerns about the use of
    22        blown polystyrene foam, so what were those concerns?
    23        A.  As I understand it, basically insufficient landfills.
    24
    25   Q.   It was just a thing about landfill, was it?
    26        A.  That is my understanding.
    27
    28   Q.   Because polystyrene takes up a lot of space in landfills?
    29        A.  And is inert and not biodegradable.
    30
    31   Q.   You mention about it being "unblown" in those countries.
    32        Is that found to be acceptable over there?
    33        A.  I think what it should say is that the plastic
    34        containers are unblown.  They use a clear -- a container
    35        which is unblown.
    36
    37   Q.   So it is not polystyrene which is unblown?
    38        A.  No, it would be polyethylene, I think.
    39
    40   MR. MORRIS:  So the word "polystyrene" should read
         "polyethylene" in the third line?
    42        A.  I think so, yes.  Certainly, the salad packaging would
    43        not be made out of polystyrene.
    44
    45   MS. STEEL:  You said:  "It is likely in the near future that
    46        polyethylene will be used in these products as there is a
    47        public perception that the change will be environmentally
    48        beneficial, although I am not aware of any environmental
    49        reasons why this is more beneficial"?
    50        A.  Correct. 
    51 
    52   Q.   So why is the company making the change? 
    53        A.  In Germany?
    54
    55   Q.   Yes.
    56        A.  I honestly do not know.
    57
    58   Q.   You do not know?
    59        A.  That is what I have said, I am not aware of any
    60        environmental reason why.  I have no responsibility for the