Burger ‘green’: a new Whopper from cows that burp and fart 33% less

Burger King is launching a more sustainable sandwich

Burger King is trying to cut down on how much cows burp and fart, as the burger chain attempts to push the industry to reduce methane emissions by working with scientists at the Autonomous University at the State of Mexico and the University of California, Davis to develop a new diet for cows that will reduce how much methane they produce. Cows’ burps and farts are a significant producer of methane emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Preliminary tests indicate that adding 100 grams of lemongrass to cow’s diets helps them release roughly 33% less methane in the last 3 to 4 months of their lives. Lemongrass essentially helps the cows’ digestion because, without it, more methane is emitted primarily through burps, as well as farts.

A handful of Burger King locations in Miami, New York, Austin, Portland, and Los Angeles will begin selling Whoppers made with reduced emissions.

However, the chain says it hopes to inspire change across the industry. The lemongrass research and formulation are openly available, and the chain is speaking with suppliers globally about expanding the test.

Burger King also released a commercial explaining the connections between cows, methane, and climate change.

While cattle are responsible for roughly 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, cows’ burps and farts are not the only way that farming contributes to climate change. Fast Company reports that fertilizer used to grow grains, fed to cows before they are sent to a slaughterhouse, is a large source of emissions. Overgrazing and deforestation are also significant contributors to global warming.

Burger King’s decision to focus on lemongrass is in part simply because it is a convenient solution, even if it doesn’t solve all of the industry’s sustainability problems. Adding lemongrass to the cows’ diet does not impact the cows’ weight or other things that could affect how burgers taste but adding just 100 grams of lemongrass can have a significant impact in terms of greenhouse emissions.

Source businessinsider