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How can restaurants "green" their businesses?
First bring their operations into compliance with all environmental regulations, then adopt pollution prevention and resource conservation practices. The program checklists offer a variety of options for meeting program standards. Here are some examples of what you can do.
TOP TEN GREEN RESTAURANT PRACTICES
Conserve Energy and Water
1. Use high efficiency pre-rinse spray nozzles at the dish cleaning area, flow restrictors on restroom faucets, and ultra low-flow or dual-flush toilets (your water company or utility may provide rebates or free equipment).
2. Replace old 1-1/2" diameter T12 fluorescent lamps with efficient, 1" diameter 800-series T8 lamps; and use Energy Star compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) instead of incandescent bulbs in storerooms, break rooms, offices, wall sconces, kitchen exhaust hoods and walk-in refrigerators (utility rebates may be available).
3. Add auto-closers and strip curtains to walk-in refrigerators, add door kits to open display cooler cases and/or replace old fridges with new Energy star units (utility rebates may be available).
Reduce, reuse, recycle
4. Buy products in returnable, reusable or recyclable containers.
5. Recycle food*, cardboard, paper, glass, metal and plastics. (*compost on-site, or contact your local solid waste agency to find out if a composting program for food waste, along with some non-recyclable paper items is available in your area.)
6. Buy recycled-content paper products whenever possible, including hand towels, napkins, office and food service uses.
7. Use take-out containers that can be composted (paper) or recycled (#1 and #2 plastics, aluminum) instead of styrofoam.
Pollution Prevention
8. Properly maintain grease traps and kitchen hoods to prevent overflows and emissions to the sewer and storm drain systems.
9. Keep outdoor waste storage, parking and sidewalks free of litter, grease spills and other potential pollutants. Use sweeping and spot cleaning for most clean ups. If washing is needed, use a cleaning method that keeps cleaning water out of storm drains.
10. Use organically or sustainably produced foods in the kitchen.
Ready to Apply?
You may already be doing enough to qualify. Once you apply, staff from energy efficiency programs, your water company and others will verify what you're doing and help you to meet the Green Business certification criteria specific to restaurants.
The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program is currently available to businesses and government agencies in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. If your business or agency is located in a participating county, and you are interested in becoming “green," use the links below.
Click here for the Green Business Checklist for Restaurants
Click here for information on How to Become a Certified Green Business
Click here to contact a Coordinator in your county.
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