There are so many little things we can do to reduce our footprint on the environment. Many of them can be easily incorporated into your life.
One of them is being mindful of whether the restaurant you choose to spend your money at is also aware of their environmental impact. Restaurants can create a disconcerting amount of waste & use exorbitant amounts of energy.
Clues to look out for that will make your choice a greener one
Ask if the food is locally sourced
Food sourced locally not only means that you are supporting the economy of that area, but the food has not needed to be transported far distances and stored over long periods of time (which both consume energy).
Do they give you water without asking?
It seems like in so many restaurants, you get a decanter of water whether you like it or not. This usually overcrowds the table and is often completely unused. Water served only by request means they are not throwing large amounts of wasted water down the sink.
Cloth or Regular Napkins?
While there is a move towards compostable napkins in more and more restaurants, the better option would be cloth napkins that can be reused over and over again.
Green in the Loo
One of the most obvious waste areas is the toilet. Do they use hand dryers instead of paper hand towels? Are there dual flush options on the actual toilets and is the lighting in the loo, action activated, so it only goes on when the loo is in use?
Straws Suck
And of course, the one thing most of us are starting to get used to is saying no to straws. But do they offer you a straw whether you want one or not? And by the time it’s in your drink you cant say no as it will be thrown out immediately anyway. Some restaurants are looking at alternatives like metal straws, and hats off to them.