The environment is getting polluted every day due to the callousness of many people. There are rampant air, water and soil pollution to such an extent that the very existence of human life may be in danger in the near future. This is the reason that more and more people are becoming environment conscious nowadays and try to go green in every way possible. If you too belong to this category of people, then you should consider the impact of dining out on the environment as well. The Green Restaurants Association has its standards which if a restaurant follows then it can be considered to be an eco-friendly one. Although these standards are not mandatory, most of the restaurant owners with a conscience attempt to follow these standards to the letter. Let us look at some of the criteria that these restaurants have to follow
An average restaurant uses 300,000 litres of water every year. The first goal of the GRA is to prevent water wastage and promote the conservation of water. A team from this organization examines the landscaping, kitchens and restrooms to discern the usage and efficiency including the water catchment and reuse. The sinks and toilets should also have a low flow rate along with efficient washing machines.
Efficient usage and conservation of water
An average restaurant uses 300,000 litres of water every year. The first goal of the GRA is to prevent water wastage and promote the conservation of water. A team from this organization examines the landscaping, kitchens and restrooms to discern the usage and efficiency including the water catchment and reuse. The sinks and toilets should also have a low flow rate along with efficient washing machines.
Correct management of waste
Apart from the high usage of water most restaurants also produce 150,000 pounds of garbage annually. Eco-friendly restaurants try their best to reduce the output of garbage and increase items that can be reused, recycled and compost anything that is left over. The most efficient environment-friendly restaurants aim to have zero waste production. A restaurant can accomplish this by various perspectives and reuse and conservation efforts.
Furnish with nature
One of the most important and give away signs of an eco-friendly restaurant is its décor and furnishings. A restaurant that is eco-friendly will use recycled and natural materials in its construction and décor. It is quite possible to make attractive furniture with bamboo or recycled wood, and it will add a unique factor to the interior of the establishment.One of the most important and give away signs of an eco-friendly restaurant is its décor and furnishings. A restaurant that is eco-friendly will use recycled and natural materials in its construction and décor. It is quite possible to make attractive furniture with bamboo or recycled wood, and it will add a unique factor to the interior of the establishment.
Sustainable eating
Eco-friendly restaurants also attempt to serve foods that are in compliance with sustainability measures. It is a good idea to either grow your vegetables and fruits or support the local farmers who do that. A restaurant could be considered to be truly eco-friendly if it served organic and vegetarian food. If they do serve foods that contain meats and dairy, they should be obtained from grass fed animals with no additional hormones.
Energy efficient
In the commercial sector of the United States restaurants are the largest consumers of electricity. Therefore it is necessary that a restaurant makes itself energy efficient. It is important for a green restaurant to become carbon neutral so that they use only sustainable sources of energy. For this, it is necessary to offset the energy usage, generate on-site renewable sources of energy and making use of more energy efficient equipment.
All these factors go into making a restaurant energy efficient. Usually, if a restaurant follows the standards of the GRA, then this fact will be published on their website. Hence you can check online for eco-friendly restaurants that will be easy on your conscience so that you feel that you are doing your bit for the environment.