WASTE

An average restaurant can produce 150,000 pounds of garbage each year.  The goal of this section is to encourage foodservice facilities to move toward the goal of becoming zero-waste, through reducing waste output, increasing stock of reusable items, and recycling and composting what is left.

 

STEPS

POINTS

W1. RECYCLING & COMPOSTING                 

All Items in This Box are Required for Certification If an item is not available for recycling or composting in a restaurantÕs area, then the restaurant is not required to divert that materials.

Plastics, glass, and aluminum

10

Cardboard

8

Paper

2

Grease to biodiesel or energy, exclusively – Required for restaurants in the following areas:

Asheville NC, Baltimore-metro, Boston, Chicago, southern and central Connecticut, Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland OR, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane WA

2.5

Composting – pre-consumer (kitchen waste) – Required for restaurants in the

following areas: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Washington DC, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland OR, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis

17.5

 

Composting – post-consumer (food and packaging)

 

7.5

 

 

W2. CONSTRUCTION RECYCLING

New construction

2.5

Renovation

1.25

 

 

W3. HAZARDOUS WASTE                          

Fluorescent lamps

0.5

Batteries

0.5

Paints and chemicals

0.5

Electronics

0.5

 

 

W4. WASTE REDUCTION- OFFICE

Reuse or recycle ink cartridges

0.25

Staple –free stapler

0.25

Junk mail reduction

0.25

Double-sided printer

1

Online, paperless fax

1

Paperless billing for all vendors

3

Paperless payroll for all employees

3

 

 

Paperless submission GR4.0 Assessment materials - electronically via email or online file sharing

3

Paperless submission of GR4.0 Assessment materials – CD or memory stick

2

 

 

W5. WASTE REDUCTION- DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS            

Bulk Packaging (i.e no individual packets)

 

Condiments for in-house use

1

Coffee station items

1

At least 2 vendors make deliveries with returnable packaging at least twice per month

1

More than 2 vendors make deliveries with returnable packaging at least twice per month

2.25

Reusable coffee filter

1

Reusable coasters

1

No bottled water served on-site

3.5

No paper towels in restrooms

2

100% reusable tableware used for staff meals

3.5

 

 

Reusable mug program: Signage + Monetary incentive to encourage customers to re-use mugs (i.e. ÒSave 5 cents every time you use a reusable mugÓ.)

2.25

Reusable bag program: Signage + Monetary incentive to encourage customers to re-use bags (i.e. ÒSave 5 cents every time you use a reusable bagÓ.)

2.25

Reusable container program: Signage + Monetary incentive to encourage customers to re-use containers (i.e. ÒSave 5 cents every time you use a reusable containerÓ.)

2.25

 

 

For Cafeteria-Style Restaurants Only

Reusable trays

1

No trays

3

 

 

For Fine Dining Restaurants Only

No table covering for tables in a fine dining restaurant

4.5

Reusable sustainable linens (organic cotton, hemp, etc.)

3.5

Reusable conventional linens

2.25

Recycled kraft paper table covering

1

 

 

W6. WASTE REDUCTION- FOOD            

Weekly (at least) donations to food bank or material exchange

5

NOTE: For those restaurants that donate left-over food on a regular basis and compost post-consumer waste, the total points possible is 7.5.

 

Offer smaller portions, at least 25% smaller, for 50% of entrees at a reduced price

2.25