A non-violent action by a nation-wide coalition of student environmental groups aims to draw attention to the hypocrisy of McDonalds' sponsorship of Clean Up NZ Week (18-23 September).

Melanie Nelson, of Ecoaction, Victoria University, said: "This is blatant greenwash. McDonalds is one of the most irresponsible consumers of resources internationally. No materials are reused or recycled. McDonald's must clean up their current environmental practices and reduce the amount of unnecessary waste they create."

Students from Otago, Lincoln, Canterbury, Waikato, Massey and Victoria University environmental groups will symbolically return used McDonalds paper and plastic left on city streets to restaurants throughout the country. The student groups at each protest will deliver a letter to the Manager of McDonalds, detailing their concerns with McDonalds' current wasteful practices, and suggesting constructive ways in which McDonalds can make a real environmental effort, rather than cultivating a false green image. (A copy of the letter is available).

For more information contact:

Melanie Nelson ECOACTION Student Union Building PO Box 600 Victoria University Wellington

Phone (AH) (04) 387 3808

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