McDonald’s is once again taking part in saving the bees by building roadside billboards that also serve as “bee hotels.”
Honey bees aren’t listed as endangered species, but it is alarming to know that their population around the world has been rapidly declining the past few years. One of the major causes of this phenomenon is the destruction of their habitat.
The impact is not just on these insects, as pollinating bees are responsible for one-third of the food that we eat. Thanks to them, we are able to consume a variety crops that aid in our survival. In Sweden, 30 percent of wild bees are at risk of extinction.
That’s why instead of serving solely as marketing tools, McDonald’s in Sweden has found a way to incorporate bee sanctuaries into their roadside ads. Partnering with outdoor advertising firm JCDecaux, the fastfood giant attached bee habitats onto the back of their previously built roadside billboards. If the project proves to be effective, they will be implementing more in the coming spring.
This is not the first time that McDonald’s has done a project like this to save the bees. Previously, their restaurants in Sweden installed beehives in their roofs to promote bee biodiversity. They also recently auctioned off a fully-functioning beehive called the “McHive” – which was dubbed as “the world’s smallest McDonald’s”.
Inspired by the initiative of the franchise, other restaurants in Sweden have also built similar structures. They installed permanent wood signs with holes drilled into them, which can serve as homes for the bees as well.
The company is hoping that through these efforts, thousands of wild bees would have homes, allowing their species to multiply and thrive. Kudos to McDonald’s and the other food establishments in Sweden that did their part in saving the bees. It is truly an innovative idea that should be replicated by businesses around the world!
Watch the video below and share this to raise awareness about the importance of bees in our environment.