How to Be Green at a Restaurant

Eating out, something most of us do quite often, is easy to do the green way. Here are some tips for restaurant-goers who want to go green:

·      Dine In: Though the ease and convenience of take-out is often tempting, the amount of trash created by a single take-out meal is quite costly for the earth. Whenever possible, dine the old-fashioned way – at a table!

·      Order Responsibly: Most people have had the experience of “the eyes are bigger than the stomach.” If you tend to over-order, remember that wasted food has the highest carbon footprint, and take-out equals trash. Try to order what you think you will really eat. Ask about portion size. Share a plate, or get a half-order. If you are still hungry, you can always order more, but you can’t order less once you’ve been served.

·       BYOT: Stands for “Bring Your Own Tupperware.” To-go containers are highly inefficient, used once to transport leftovers and then headed for the landfill. Be a trendsetter by toting your own clean container when you go out to eat. You can keep it in the car in a canvas bag so its there when you need it. On occasions when this is not possible, wash and reuse to-go containers at home as much as possible and be sure to recycle them when you are done.  

·       Request Green Items: Restaurants stay in business by giving people what they want. Ask if they use local produce, sustainable meat and seafood, and “green” wines. When businesses see consumer demand for green products increase, green goes from being a specialty to being the standard.

·       Support Green Businesses: Many restaurants are going green by installing energy-efficient equipment and lighting, recycling, composting, using local and sustainable products, and using recycled and environmentally friendly décor and supplies. To find a green restaurant in your area, visit the Green Restaurant Association.