The National Restaurant Association has launched the pilot of Greener Restaurants, a national program to recognize restaurants’ sustainability efforts. A limited number of restaurants have signed on to participate in the pilot before opening it to industry-wide participation in the next few months.
"We listened to what our members wanted: a flexible, effective, and affordable program to help them do the right thing for the planet and for their business, and worked closely with them to develop the program," says Dawn Sweeney, National Restaurant Association president and CEO.
The goal of the Greener Restaurants program is to help restaurant operators save money and manage costs while incorporating sustainability practices throughout the restaurant. In addition, the program will help restaurants market their efforts to "go greener" to guests both onsite and online. It was developed with the input of restaurant operators and partners of the National Restaurant Association Conserve initiative: the Turner Foundation, Kendall College, Food Service Technology Center, and EPA ENERGY STAR.
The program comprises a checklist of action items from which participants select areas of focus and build a profile on an interactive website. The checklist contains both smaller steps, such as using low-energy light bulbs, and larger moves, including equipment and remodeling. The checklist will be accompanied by resources and instructional videos to help the operator implement each practice and report progress.
The online profiles will become part of a consumer-oriented website with a nationwide search engine that will be part of the public launch of the program later this year. Participating restaurants will also receive a door decal and other marketing materials to highlight their commitment to sustainable practices to customers.
