WeWork tells employees meat is off the menu
Co-working giant WeWork Cos. thinks it can save the environment quicker than Elon Musk.
The startup has told its 6,000 global staff that they will no longer be able to expense meals including meat, and that it won’t pay for any red meat, poultry or pork at WeWork events. In an email to employees this week outlining the new policy, cofounder Miguel McKelvey said the firm’s upcoming internal “Summer Camp” retreat would offer no meat options for attendees.
“New research indicates that avoiding meat is one of the biggest things an individual can do to reduce their personal environmental impact,” said McKelvey in the memo, “even more than switching to a hybrid car.”
Individuals requiring “medical or religious” allowances are being referred to the company’s policy team to discuss options.
Although the anti-meat stance is significant for the New Yorkbased company, it’s far from the first startup to promote alternatives to animals. Juicero, a failed maker of high-priced juice machines, had instituted a similar ban on reimbursing employee expenses for meals at non-vegan restaurants.
Just Inc., formerly known as Hampton Creek, created a veganfriendly alternative to mayonnaise and has said it plans to have what it calls clean meat on the market by year-end. Purple Carrot, the vegan meal-kit company, recently won backing from Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc, while Wild Earth Inc., a startup based in California, is creating pet food with lab-created proteins.
American Airlines and Starbucks recently joined the chorus of companies pledging to phase out plastic straws and drink stirrers. And Southwest Airlines, in a bid to reduce allergy risk, said this week peanuts will no longer be available on flights starting Aug. 1.
WeWork’s decision follows the company’s recent internal drives to reducing plastic usage and redistribute waste food from its events to good causes.