The Bite:
Programs are popping up all over the country to help restaurants be more environmentally conscious. Next time you’re at your favorite eatery, why not slip some tips in the suggestion box?
Wish your favorite restaurant would green a little more than their spinach panini?
10.26.2005
Submitted by idealbite on Wed, 10/26/2005 - 5:00pm.
The Benefits:
- Suggest they buy organic and/or local. Organic foods taste better, are higher in nutritional value and require less washing. Local foods are fresher, support the community and don’t have to travel so far
- Encourage recycling for less waste. With paper products alone, every ton of recycled post-consumer waste leaves 17 trees standing and conserves 7,000 gallons of water.
- Separate food waste from other trash. 30% of restaurant garbage is made up of food waste. Restaurants can compost their food waste or sell it to farmers who can recycle it.
- Encourage eco-friendly cleaning chemicals.
Personally Speaking:
Since Heather likes to joke that she pays the lighting bill at her favorite restaurant, she figures she can make a few suggestions. Stay tuned for the results.
Wanna Try:
- The Green Restaurant Association - lists these tips and more for your favorite restaurant.
- The Dine Green Store - provides a list of eco-friendly restaurant and home kitchen supplies.
- The Bay Area Green Business Program - helpful resources for local and national businesses trying to be more green (more than just restaurants).
- ProtectSeals Campaign - ask your favorite restaurant to join up and take action against the poor treatment of seals.
Cocktail Fact
40-50% of all food ready for harvest never gets eaten.
Bang For The Bite
Save energy, money and the planet – with just a little bit of planning. One restaurant reports saving $7,000 in energy bills and garbage fees each year after "going green."
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