Resturants going green

A couple of weeks ago I noticed the take-out cutlery at Stevens & Stevens had changed and was told "they're made from potatoes".
Tonight, I got in late from a business trip and treated myself to a take-out Jack's Burger from Jack Fry's.
Getting home, I discovered they converted from styrafoam clamshells to pressed paper ones.
I just want to thank all the restaurants and cafés that take the extra step towards "going green".

We use the green "eco-containers" at Cafe Lou Lou...they are made of 100% compostable materials. The "to-go" cups, lids and utensils are made of corn by-products. We also recycle almost all of our metal, plastic and cardboard. Believe me, this is not easy. Our kitchen manager/sous chef Mark makes sure everything gets to the recycling center - on an everyday basis, not just on the days he's on the schedule. We're happy to do it, though - and we're committed to doing it at our new location in the Highlands when we open, as well.

[Robin Garr]

For at least the last year or so, Heine Bros. (Frankfort at least) has strongly encouraged folks to separate recyclables from garbage, and to leave the recyclables up for the baristas to put in the bins.

Of course their corporate commitment to fair-trade, etc., coffees and teas probably also ought to count for something.

Another of our great Crescent Hill/Clifton coffee shops, Caffe Classico, I believe switched over from using plastic cups for cold drinks to paper a while back.

Going "green" doesn't require a huge commitment. Some simple and easy changes can make a difference.

We also use the clam shells made of sugar cane pulp which will disintegrate in 4 months instead of 4billion years like Styrofoam. They are not cheap. But hopefully as more and more places use them the cheaper they will get.

RIGHT ON
we use recyclable plastic take out containers, cardboard, and AL containers at the CPC

where are you getting your sugar cane containers Will??

we also recycle darn near everything we use - plastic, Styrofoam, AL, paper, and cardboard

Foam Fabricators in New Albany's Industrial park recycles styrofoam, but you have to take it there

shawn

[Robin Garr]

Foam Fabricators in New Albany's Industrial park recycles styrofoam, but you have to take it there

Yeah, but when you do, you end up REALLY close to La Rosita II and NABC! We never make a styro run without lunch.

where are you getting your sugar cane containers Will??

We get them from Eco Steward. Michael Drane is the owner.
2200 Winston Avenue Louisville, KY 40205 info@ecosteward.com ph: (502)212-1549 fax: (502) 413-5313

We've been using green products for EcoSteward for all of our to-go cups and containers for a while now. We're very happy with them. Amazingly, the corn by-product 16oz. plastic cups are less expensive than standard clear plastic cups. We also use the clear corn clamshell to-go containers. Michael Drane from EcoSteward is also great about filling orders as quickly as possible. We usually order things a few days before we need them and he often shows up with them the same day the order was placed.

This has to do with another form of eco-friendliness, but what do you all think of the trend in colleges of getting rid of trays from the cafeteria? I am wondering if this actually does help people get less food? Are restaurants doing this too? Just remember to give customers cooler plates and expect more spills...

I know that El mundo hauls all of their stuff away bi-weekly in the back of her truck (which is a heap of recycling btw) also know that the city of louisville doesn't recycle for restaurants, so yay eco-steward, but wtf louisville? I've watched restaurants that will remain anonymous frustratingly chuck recyclable glass and such wishing tht the city would pick at least some of it up. Cudos to using recyclable boxes and all, but it isn't a drop compared to chucking all of your wine bottles and milk jugs? No points, sorry.

thanks for the info Will

the city of charlestown doesn't recycle for businesses or homes anymore, but we're only about a mile from the recycling center, so 2/3times a week we load up a car or two and take all of our stuff there

DCE also recycles

Oldham County does not do a pick up for residents for Recyclables either but we have a center you can take it. I used to have to load up the hundreds of pounds of glass, plastic, and cardboard and take up the hill. What a pain. Then the county started using inmates from the county jail to run the center and now those guys come down to Westport and do a community pick up as well as my stuff. Yee Haw! You have got to love some non violent offenders.