A Different Way Restaurants Can 'Recycle'

When you can’t use something anymore or you want to get rid of it, consider a different kind of "recycling" - give it away instead of throwing it away.

Donate leftovers to a local food pantry. Years ago, this was difficult to do because of rigid city health codes. Now, it’s simple to donate leftover food, and pantries will gladly take it off your hands and pick it up free of charge.

One of the first steps in becoming a Certified Green Restaurant is extruded polystyrene foam elimination. The worst thing to do with extruded polystyrene foam is to throw it away. Instead, try the following:

•Donate food-delivery cases to local pantries, churches and community groups that will reuse them for food storage, cookouts, etc.
•If you’re replacing your extruded-polystyrene-foam cups for a more-sustainable option but you have a whole month’s supply left, donate them to an area school, nursing home or shelter.

Got other old stuff?

•Donate old office equipment like printers, fax machines, photocopiers, etc. There are dozens of community programs that will pick up your junk and find a good use for it.
•Collaborate with other area businesses to see if they could use old chairs or tables you’re replacing, old kitchen appliances and more.