Resources - Restaurants and Bars
|
|
Energy |
|
Criteria |
Resources and Instructions |
1 |
Perform energy audit (Free with COT and Talquin) (This box can be checked if the audit has been scheduled, but not yet performed at the time of filling out this form) |
Energy audits can help identify opportunities for utility savings and increased efficiency. To schedule an energy audit with the City of Tallahassee, call 850-891-4968 or visit their website for more information (https://www.talgov.com/you/you-products-home-energy-audit.aspx for more information) To schedule an energy audit with Talquin Electric, call 850-627-7651 or visit their website for more information (https://www.talquinelectric.com/resources/living-efficiently/ for more information) |
2 |
Actively monitor monthly energy consumption |
You can't manage what you don't measure! Actively monitoring your energy consumption can help you set a "normal" range, set energy reduction goals, and avoid unexpected peaks and high bills. |
3 |
Perform one energy retrofit or upgrade that your energy auditor recommends |
Go over your energy audit/analysis with your auditor and identify at least one upgrade you can make to help save energy |
4 |
Set a goal for energy reduction to achieve in one year |
Step 1: Take a look at your most recent monthly energy bill Step 2: Make note of your kilowatt hours (kWh) each month over the last year Step 3: Set a goal for a reduced energy consumption (fewer monthly kilowatt hours) for one year from now |
5 |
Create a policy/protocol to ensure all non-essential lights and appliances are turned off during non-business hours |
Option 1: Assign a point person (or persons) the responsibility of shutting off all lights and appliances before leaving, being specific about which lights and appliances should be turned off and which must be left on for safety Option 2: Create a specific restaurant/bar policy that all appliance and lights must be turned off when not in use, including after closing hours |
6 |
Replace 50% of lighting with LED light bulbs |
LED lightbulbs come in various lighting types, sizes, and styles. Pick ones that work the best for the space. After the retrofit is complete, take note to see if there is a reduction in your overall kilowatt hours (kWh) in future energy bills! |
7 |
Install lighting controls, such as occupancy sensors in spaces of variable occupancy, daylighting controls, or timed switches |
To learn more about lighting controls, visit the Department of Energy's Lighting Controls page (https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/lighting-controls#232200-tab-0) |
8 |
Make a policy/protocol requiring all purchased equipment and appliances are ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, and/or WaterSense qualified |
Products with these qualificiations have increased efficiency built in. Energy Star Product Finder: https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/ EPEAT registry: https://epeat.net WaterSense Product Search: https://lookforwatersense.epa.gov |
9 |
Participate in a utility or community solar program |
Contact your local utility to see if they have a solar program you can participate in. If you'd like to learn more about options for solar, talk to the Office of Sustainability! |
10 |
Generate renewable energy on-site |
Do you think your restaurant or bar may be a good candidate for solar energy? Get in touch with a local electric contractor to get more information or visit US Department of Energy's EnergySage: renewable energy quotes and information page (https://www.energysage.com) Financial Tool through Leon County's PACE Program (www.fdfcbonds.com/pace) |
|
Water |
11 |
Monitor water consumption monthly |
Step 1: Open your monthly energy/water bill Step 2: Look at your water consumption - did it go up or down from last month? Step 3: If your consumption went up, think about why it might have increased and what steps you can take to reduce consumption in the coming month. If your consumption went down, congrats! Keep implementing strategies that help conserve water! |
12 |
Install low-flow faucet aerators on all restroom sinks |
Low-flow faucet aerators can be found at most hardware stores |
13 |
Install low-flow toilets and urinals in all restrooms |
Low-flow toilets and urinals can be found at most appliance stores |
14 |
Set a goal for water reduction to achieve in one year |
Step 1: Take a look at your most recent monthly energy/water bill Step 2: Make note of your gallons consumed (cgal = 100 gallons) each month over the last year Step 3: Set a goal for a reduced water consumption (fewer monthly cgal) for one year from now |
15 |
Replace all pre-rinse spray valves with low flow ones |
EPA WaterSense Pre-Rinse Spray Valves (https://www.epa.gov/watersense/pre-rinse-spray-valves) |
16 |
Switch cleaning products to low toxicity cleaning products |
Learn more and view a product list on the EPA's Safer Choice page (https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/products) Learn more about Green Seal Certified products (https://greenseal.org) |
17 |
Utilize green infrastructure, low-impact development principles, and Florida Friendly Landscaping Practices to decrease total volume of stormwater runoff, provide natural filatration systems, and utilize sustainable landscaping practices. |
Learn more about Low-Impact Development from UF/IFAS Extension (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/lowimpactdev.htm) Learn more about Florida Friendly Landscaping Practices from UF/IFAS Extension (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu) |
|
Transportation |
18 |
Take a survey of how your employees commute to work. Identify at least one opportunity to make getting to work via alternative transportation easier (i.e. carpooling, walking, biking, taking the bus, or driving an electric vehicle) |
Some good questions to ask could include: 1. In a typical day, which form of transportation do you use to get to work? 2. Is alternative transportation an option for you (i.e. carpooling, walking, biking, taking the bus, or driving an electric vehicle) 3. What barriers do you have in taking alternative transportation? 4. How can we (as a business) remove one of these barriers or help incentivize alternative transportation? For information about ride share and alternative transportation, visit Commuter Services of North Florida: www.commuterservices.org |
19 |
Promote or offer food delivery by bike |
Make bike (or pedestrian) delivery an option to reduce the use of fuel! |
20 |
Provide free or discounted bus passes to your employees |
To learn more about Star Metro (and bus passes), visit: https://www.talgov.com/starmetro/starmetroHome.aspx Or call 850-891-5200 |
21 |
Install an electric vehicle charging station on site |
Electric vehicle charging stations help encourage the adoption of electric vehicles by providing regular access to charging for employees and customers alike. There are various types of charging stations. Learn more about types of charging stations from the Department of Energy (https://www.energy.gov/eere/electricvehicles/vehicle-charging) |
|
Waste Reduction |
22 |
Take a look in your trash can and list the top three most commonly found items in it. Do the same thing for your recycling bin. |
Much of what we throw in the trash is either avoidable, recyclable, or compostable. The first step towards reducing waste is taking an inventory of what's in your trash to begin with. Recycling items is a much better alternative to throwing them in the trash, but what if we could avoid using those items alltogether? Remember, the order of improtance is Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle. |
23 |
Eliminate the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) and single-use plastic bags for to go orders and only provide single-use utensils, napkins, straws, and condiments upon request for in-house dining and to go orders |
For more information on Green Purchasing, visit our website (www.growinggreen.org/wastereduction) |
24 |
Pick one of the most commonly found items in your trash (from #22) and make a plan to eliminate (or drastically reduce) its use |
Step 1: Identify one of the most commonly thrown-away items in your trash bin that could be eliminated from the waste stream Step 2: Make a plan to elimiante it (Example 1: do you have a lot of food waste? Hire a composting service to take your food scraps. Example 2: do you throw away a lot of cling wrap? Invest in sealable lids for your storage containers) Step 3: Put your plan into action and educate your staff on the new initiative |
25 |
Provide reusable utensils, plates, and cups for dine-in customers |
Eliminating single-use items and switching to multi-use items can drastically reduce the amount of waste your company generates |
26 |
Provide recycling for employees and customers, including clear sorting instructions for what can and can?t be recycled |
For more information about what can and can't be recycled in Leon County (visit www.growinggreen.org/wastereduction) |
27 |
For food storage, eliminate the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) and minimize the amount of single-use plastic bags and packaging |
Work with your supplier/distributor to find available options |
28 |
Bring "Household Hazardous Materials" such as batteries, light bulbs, cleaning supplies, etc. to the Leon County Household Hazardous Waste center, or another certified recycling center |
Leon County Household Hazardous Waste Center (http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Home/Departments/Office-of-Resource-Stewardship/Solid-Waste/Hazardous-Waste-Center) |
29 |
Take plastic wrap, plastic bags, or other plastic film to a box retailer for recycling |
Find the nearest place where you can take plastic film for recycling (https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org) |
30 |
Offer incentives for customers to bring their own cups and/or to-go containers |
Incentives could include a discount on a beverage or meal or a voucher for a free item after a number of purchases using a reusable to-go item |
31 |
Purchase items in bulk to avoid excessive single-use packaging (i.e. bulk sugar vs. individual packets) |
Work with your supplier/distributor to find available options |
32 |
Utilize at least three (3) paper products with at least 30% post-consumer recycled material (e.g. printing paper, paper towels, bags, napkins, etc.) |
Work with your supplier/distributor to switch your paper products to ones that contain post-consumer material |
33 |
Eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags |
Switch to an alternative such as paper bags |
34 |
Provide at least one dish on the menu with a local ingredient |
For information about local agriculture suppliers, visit the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance: https://www.redhillsfarmalliance.com |
35 |
Eliminate the use of all single-use plastics (including polystyrene) in all operations, including prep-work, to-go orders, and in-house dining |
If you need help brainstorming or researching alternatives, contact the Office of Sustainability |
36 |
Implement a composting program |
Learn more about how you can sign up for a compost bin at www.GrowingGreen.org/Composting Or to pay for a composting service, visit Compost Community: www.compostcommunity.org |
|
Employee and Community Engagement |
37 |
Educate all employees on the sustainable initiatives in your company |
Your employees are your biggest champions and best messengers - are they aware of all your company's sustainability initiatives? How could you better educate and involve them? If you want some ideas, contact the Leon County Sustainability Team for help! |
38 |
Offer at least two (2) plant-based (vegan) dishes |
According to the UN Climate Change Report, shifting to more plant-based diets is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Providing plant-based foods gives more options to your customers and can have a positive environmental impact. |
39 |
Communicate your sustainability initiatives to your customers |
Communicate your sustainability successes to your customers through social media, through your employees, and in print in your restaurant |
40 |
Organize a clothing, used items, and/or food drive to donate to a local non-profit, or work with a local non-profit to organize a collection for used items. |
For a list of a few places to donate items in Leon County, visit: (https://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Portals/7/docs/Where%20Can%20I%20donate_final.pdf) |
41 |
Establish a policy/protocol allowing employees to take home unserved food and allowing donations of unserved or excess food to food kitchens or other community programs |
The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects you from liability when you donate to a non-profit organization: (https://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/partners/become-a-product-partner/food-partners) |
42 |
Establish a Green Team (i.e. a group of designated employees who oversee and help implement sustainable practices) |
5 Steps to Building an Effective Green Team: https://smallbiztrends.com/2010/08/5-steps-build-effective-green-team.html |
43 |
Organize or take part in a company volunteer day, or support "give hours" (paid employee hours for volunteer/community work) |
For a list of volunteer opportunities in Leon County, visit www.VolunteerLeon.org |
44 |
Practice equity, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, hiring, and retention |
For more information, visit: https://www.usdn.org/uploads/cms/documents/usdn-equity-in-recruitment_hiring_retention-100418update.pdf https://hr.fas.harvard.edu/files/fas-hr/files/recruiting_for_diversity_9.17.13_0.pdf |
45 |
Promote physical health (social sustainability) among your employees through accesss to a gym or other wellness activities |
Healthy, happy employees make for a healthy, happy business! |
|
Local Economy |
46 |
Source at least two ingredients from local or organic farmers |
For information about local agriculture suppliers, visit the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance: https://www.redhillsfarmalliance.com |
47 |
Prioritize ordering and purchasing office items and other purchases from local businesses (e.g. promotional items, shirts, landscaping plants) |
For questions about buying local, contact the Sustainability Team at Sustainability@LeonCountyFL.gov |
|
Innovation |
48 |
Provide information on or attach supporting documents on a project or program your company has impelemented that relates to sustainability but was not covered in this application |
Any additional projects or innovative ideas and initiatives related to sustainability are welcome! |
49 |
Attach a document endorsed by your company or organizational leadership that outlines a plan for implementing further sustainaibility action items and goals |
For questions or help creating this document, please contact the Sustainability Team at Sustainability@LeonCountyFL.gov |