Environmental
Consequences
Significant environmental effects are also a result ofthe fast-food sector, from the production of food ingredients to waste management..
(Mary, 2008). The mass production of fast-food demands extensive agricultural output, which places a heavy burden on natural resources.
Resource Usage
Large amounts of water,
energy, and land are used in the production of staple fast-food
items including beef, chicken, and potatoes. For example, raising
cattle which is required to produce beef burgers uses a lot of water
and produces a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, particularly
methane, which has a far greater potential to cause global warming
than carbon dioxide.
Pollution and Waste
Fast-food frequently uses single-use packaging, which
adds considerably to the amount of plastic and non-recyclable
garbage produced worldwide. Usually thrown away after only one use,
this packaging might wind up as litter or in landfills, where it
might take hundreds of years for it to break down. (Gallego et al.,
2019). Furthermore, the transportation of supplies and materials for
fast-food, especially vehicle emissions from long-distance cargo,
adds to pollution.
Biodiversity Loss
The large-scale farming necessary to serve
fast-food chains can result in biodiversity loss and deforestation.
Forests are frequently destroyed in places like the Amazon to make
room for agriculture or livestock grazing areas. Whitacre, P.
(2009). The loss of habitat has long-term effects on ecological
balance and puts species in danger. It also has an impact on
biodiversity worldwide.
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