A new branch of the fast food chain McDonald's in California has been awarded a gold LEED accreditation.
It is not the first energy efficient building the burger retailer has used to house its restaurants as there are four other in America which have LEED status.
Candace Spiel, owner and operator of the new McDonald's, said: "We are honoured to receive this gold certification from LEED, which underscores our rigorous sustainability initiatives."
Situated in the city of Riverside, the new building is on the site of a previous McDonald's, which was knocked and rebuilt after 44 years.
It is the only restaurant in the city to have been awarded the prestigious environmental award and is fitted with features including solar panels, denim insulation – which has come from a recycled source and – a water reduction system.
McDonald's has an environmental policy which covers the entire company and includes forward thinking principles in relation to energy, waste, litter and packaging.
