Restaurants Latest to “Go Green”
By Clara Fishel
May 20, 2008
The slogan of Ted Turner’s chain of 50+ casual dining restaurants, Ted’s Montana Grill, is “Eat Great. Do Good.” Ted’s Montana Grill is now a 99% plastic-free establishment (what about that remaining 1%?) that recycles and features water and energy efficient fixtures. I know, I know, this is nothing new. Many restaurants across the country have long been green -promoters of local foodways and farmers, organics, slow food, etc. What makes this newsworthy is that Ted is a celebrity empire-maker and his inexpensive, All-American restaurants have mass appeal.
Plus, Turner’s foundation has deep pockets. Pockets that are helping to fund the “Conserve Initiative” that was unveiled at yesterday’s National Restaurant Association convention in Chicago. The initiative aims to encourage the nation’s 945,000 restaurants to think about conserving energy, water & materials. Check out the newly launched Conserve Initiative website HERE.
Even if the restaurant industry made nominal improvements, the impact would be huge.
According to the Green Restaurant Association, a typical restaurant generates more than 100,000 pounds of garbage per location per year. Pacific Gas & Electric’s Food Service Technology Center found that the average restaurant annually consumes roughly 500,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, 20,000 therms of natural gas and 800,000 gallons of water. Using the latest EPA carbon equivalents, that amounts to an estimated 490 tons of carbon dioxide produced per year per restaurant.
It would be great to see the Lady leading the charge locally. If nothing else, her name certainly lends itself . . . I can see the headlines now . . . PAULA DEEN GOES GREEN
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May 21st, 2008 at 8:38 am
Sadly, some of my favorite local restaurants use styrofoam to-go boxes (Zunzi’s, Sweetleaf, I’m looking at you). These things can be found discarded all over the streets of Savannah. I’m going to make a concerted effort to patronize restaurants that offer more sensible vessels for takeout orders. Suggestions?
May 21st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
“Your stomach is the best to-go box.” No, I don’t mean to be flippant — I often like to make two meals out of one, myself. And maybe that conservative consumption makes up for the manufacture of some kind of vessel. I just couldn’t resist putting a twist in the old saying: “Your stomach is the best canteen.” Sorry I don’t have tips on which restaurants have the greenest to-go vessels.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 am
I hope she sees this!
May 29th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Green Lifespace has visited Paula Deen to help them Go Green. Maybe this article will help! Thanks John! Will keep ya’ll posted
May 29th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Green Lifespace has visited Paula Deen to help them Go Green. Maybe this article will help! Thanks John! Will keep ya’ll posted on any progress
June 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I don’t mean to be cynical but good luck, Paula. Grease traps aren’t green!