McDonald’s Philippines, in partnership with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), is turning decommissioned store furnishings into classroom furniture for public schools. The initiative, part of the fast-food chain’s ReClassified project, promotes sustainability and supports underserved learning centers.
The project, which repurposes materials from McDonald’s annual renovation of around 70 branches, has so far delivered over 200 chairs to schools in Marikina, Laguna, and Cebu. This year, the program expanded to involve Industrial Design and Interior Design students from DLS-CSB, who developed innovative and cost-efficient furniture concepts.
Nineteen student teams, guided by mentors and program heads from DLS-CSB, crafted designs using materials sourced from McDonald’s warehouses in Cavite. Proposals included 3D models, rationales, and cost breakdowns to ensure feasibility for mass production.
The McLab, designed by Industrial Design students Ma. Minermila Espeleta, Justin Benedict Osorio, Glenn Laurence Hernandez, and Ralf Sales, is a science laboratory concept aimed at fostering hands-on learning and critical thinking.
The McShare Chair, created by Industrial Design students Pablo Santino So, Abby Lim, Ali Arricivita, and Reese Yulo, is a multipurpose, stackable stool that promotes collaborative learning.
Meanwhile, the TwisTiers, developed by Interior Design students Patricia Malijan, Amara Averion, Ginelle Poblete, and Chloe Tan, is a modular furniture system designed to support flexible and multipurpose classroom setups.
The furniture will be distributed to elementary schools across the country, aligning with McDonald’s efforts to promote sustainability and education.
