Restaurant equipment is going green. The restaurant industry is increasingly turning heads for efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Being the retail industry’s largest consumer of electricity, this is a welcoming sign. Whether that means switching to Energy Star appliances, increasing recycling, or using non-toxic cleaning products, industry experts are noting a growing trend. Leading the charge is the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), which is a non-profit group that is dedicated to helping the restaurant industry become more environmentally conscious. The GRA provides restauranteurs with information on how each individual restaurant can reduce its energy consumption. The organization also has a highly touted green certification, which it grants to restaurants that meet its strict requirements.

One example for how this can be achieved is the B.R. Guest Restaurant Group, which recently received a green certification from the Green Restaurant Association. B.R. Guest operates a number of restaurants in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. In order to achieve a GRA green certification, restaurants must take four steps a year to reduce their ecological impact. This can mean small steps, such as instituting comprehensive recycling programs or eliminating styrofoam for more biodegradable containers. It can also mean taking large actions, such as switching old, inefficient equipment for modern, Energy Star rated appliances. While the upfront costs may be significant, many of the steps that restaurants can take pay for themselves after only a year or two. For the B.R. group, this meant eliminating styrofoam and one-use products, installing low-flow aerators, and implementing a recycling program. Additionally, the B.R. Guest group is also researching energy efficient lighting for its restaurants. With the American society becoming increasingly aware of the concepts of environmental sustainability, global warming, and carbon footprints, the restaurant industry is doing itself and the environment a favor by doing its part. With more than 300 restaurants now achieving the GRA’s green certificate, the restaurant industry is increasingly becoming green. As GRA founder Michael Oshman says, “It takes some getting used to (going green), but eventually it becomes a way of life.” For the original story, click here.

One of the best ways for your restaurant to reduce energy consumption is by updating all of your equipment to new, energy-efficient appliances. Keep your restaurant on the cutting edge of “green technology” by browsing our selection of restaurant equipment. Short Order has a large selection of energy efficient appliances, whether you need ice makers, convection ovens, dishwashers, or refrigerators. With America’s increasing desire to be environmentally conscientious, turning your restaurant “green” not only will reduce your costs and carbon footprint, it may also draw a new clientele.

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 13th, 2007 at 3:45 pm and is filed under restaurant industry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.