Activists 'Occupy KFC' To Prevent Destruction Of Southern Forests

Capitalizing on the popularity of the Occupy Wall Street movement, environmental advocates gathered at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) locations around the world today to protest the company’s wasteful packaging practices.

Protesters dressed as Colonel Sanders and various woodland creatures made appearances at over 150 KFC restaurants across the country and various locations in Europe to deliver a simple message:“Stop destroying Southern forests for your throwaway packaging.” Store managers were handed this letter to explain the action and what they could do to help.

According to Dogwood Alliance, which started the ongoing campaign against the fried chicken vendor, the iconic KFC bucket and other KFC paper packaging comes from critical wetland forests and some of the last remaining special places on the southeastern coast.

“Today, we stepped it up a level and hundreds of concerned citizens across the U.S. demonstrated at KFC restaurants demanding change,” said Scot Quaranda, Campaign Director at Dogwood Alliance. “KFC’s fast food packaging is destroying our forests but it doesn’t have to be that way. McDonald’s has shown leadership on these issues and it’s now time for KFC to be a responsible corporate citizen and do its part to end the rampant destruction of the special forests in the South to make its chicken buckets.”

The organization claims Col. Sanders would be appalled at the way Southern forests are decimated to create this throw-away packaging.

The Southern US is the largest paper producing region in the world providing 20 percent of all paper. Every year an area larger than the state of New Hampshire is clearcut. Yet the region is home to a large number of endangered plants and animals which hang in the balance. While other fast food companies, including McDonald’s, have introduced standards for sustainably sourced paper products from suppliers, KFC and its’ parent company, YUM! Brands, have been a slow mover in adopting practices.

Dogwood Alliance claims it will continue the campaign until KFC adopts a green packaging policy and takes real action to protect the forests of the Southern U.S.

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Image Credit: Dogwood Alliance

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Claire T.

11:07AM PST on Nov 19, 2011

Agreed with Roy M, there are much better alternatives.
KFC are not the only culprits, many companies use pulp from these forests. Agreed also with those who are against the factory farming methods that companies such as KFC, and to be honest most eating places support. Let's face it, it costs less to buy from factory farms, the majority of fast food and even 'quality' food places are going to buy from factory farms.
You're not safe if your a veggie though, take a good look at the soya industry and other farming methods for producing food. Alot of rainforest is cleared for soya production.
Campaigning to KFC is a start but they are the tips of the ice-burg, and I think a major shake up of industry as a whole is required, starting with governments.

November 19
send a green star

James H.

1:19PM PST on Nov 18, 2011

glad im a vegetarian!

Please check out my list of over 100 tree planting petitions at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/10/save-the-forests-master-list-11-15-11/

November 18
send a green star

Joan S.

1:03PM PST on Nov 18, 2011

Ok so not only do they destroy forests they purchase chickens from Tyson who basically torture the poor animals from the time they are born throughout their death. No way would I want to ingest meat that spent it's life in fear and pain. Shame shame shame on KFC

vernon s.

2:17AM PST on Nov 18, 2011

fck-kfc