A McDonald’s restaurant in Bourse, Brussels, has garnered acclaim for its groundbreaking circular design approach.
This initiative aligns with McDonald’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The fast-food giant enlisted Antwerp-based design firm WeWantMore to craft a sustainable design for its dining areas, emphasizing circularity in décor. This project follows similar refurbishments by WeWantMore at McDonald’s locations in Carbonne and La Guerche de Bretagne, France. The objective is to create a replicable model for McDonald’s restaurants globally, supported by a measurement index to track the circularity of restaurant décor worldwide.
The Bourse location, Belgium’s first McDonald’s, now stands as a model of sustainable restaurant design, with every detail meticulously planned to reduce environmental impact.
More than 80% of the wood used in the renovation is sourced from PEFC-certified suppliers. The plastic used for tabletops and stools is predominantly recycled. The design eliminates laminates, which are challenging to recycle due to their layered composites, from furniture and décor elements where feasible. Energy-efficient lighting, and Cradle-to-Cradle certified flooring and ceiling materials, ensure ease of recycling or reuse at the end of their lifecycle.
Ruud Belmans, Founder and Creative Director of WeWantMore, commented, “This design demonstrates that sustainable design can be both bold and enjoyable while making a significant impact. We focused on selecting the right materials and designing furniture and interior elements from scratch to simplify wherever possible.”
Looking ahead, the design is also intended for easy disassembly. Instead of using adhesives, which complicate material reuse, components are joined with mechanical fasteners. This approach allows for more efficient sorting of materials for recycling or reuse.
Stephen Douglas, Vice President of Global Restaurant Design at McDonald’s, remarked, “Our new McDonald’s restaurant design combines creativity and sustainability with a focus on décor circularity, enhancing how design serves our customers and staff. The bright, optimistic décor reflects a hopeful outlook for the future of community dining and environmental responsibility.”