The world of commercial real estate design is in a constant state of flux, and restaurants are not an exception. In the past few years, green designs have gained momentum in food industry, and the trend is likely to stick around in years to come. But what exactly are the latest eco-friendly restaurant features we’ll be seeing more of in the months to come? Scroll down to find out!
Low waste footprint
Furniture, flooring, and textiles found in eco-friendly restaurants are in most cases crafted from renewable materials, free of chemicals and toxins.
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Clayton-based Kakao is an excellent example of a confectionery store gone 100% sustainable. Kakao reuses shipping materials and it also uses recyclable and compostable dishware, thus helping curb pollution. In addition to that, the brand used low-VOC paint throughout the store to ensure peak environmental safety and trim health risks for employees and buyers.
Minimal water waste
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Water efficiency is another important aspect of business conduct green brands pay attention to. To minimize water waste, eco-conscious restaurants use low-flow aerators, greywater recycling equipment, dual-flush toilets, rainwater harvesting units, and water purification systems. A fine example of water efficiency done right, Missouri Botanical Garden’s Sassafras Café in Ridgeway takes pride in rain gardens and bioswales, landscape elements designed to filter pollutants from run-off water, along with first-rate water- and energy-saving equipment.
Sustainable materials
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Reclaimed wood, lumberyard stone, ceramic, and eco-friendly tiles are often employed by green restaurants looking to take their eco-conscious game to the top. By repairing and recycling stone and wood, restaurants can reduce their environmental footprint and achieve superior aesthetic at the same time. Clayton-based Avenue Restaurant is one such establishment that rocks an eco guise: with almost all of their furniture crafted from repurposed materials and the walls clad in antique barn wood, the restaurant takes pride in a sophisticated modern-meets-rustic backdrop.
Eco-friendly lighting
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There’s no better way for a restaurant to give a green light to environmental protection than to rock out energy-efficient lights throughout their quarters. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, contemporary LED lighting solutions have a longer lifespan and they use significantly less energy. The folks at Maplewood’s Foundation Grounds know this well: the shop boasts state-of-the-art energy-saving fixtures and it also makes donations to Ameren’s Pure Power program to help raise funding for a large-scale switch to renewable energy.
A two-way recharge
These days, picky eaters prefer to make camp in restaurants which allow them to treat their cars to eco-safe top-ups from green charging stations. For this reason, more and more restaurants are adding electric car charging stations to the list of their green features. Eclipse Restaurant in St. Louis, for example, features an electric car charging station which its patrons can use to juice up their vehicles, and it has a solar panel rooftop which supplies power to the entire restaurant. For peak energy savings, Eclipse Restaurant uses rechargeable candles and other eco-friendly restaurant accessories, and it also makes donations to charities such as Operation Food Search.
Food for green tooth
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The growing awareness of food safety is another green trend reshaping catering industry around the globe. Not only do eco-picky eaters want to have the option of choosing between regular, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other diet-specific meals, but they also want their food to be organic, sustainably sourced, and processed without hormones, additives, chemicals, and other synthetic ingredients. One such food store is the family-owned Bolyard’s Meat and Provisions in Maplewood: offering top-of-the-crop products from the region’s finest farms which take pride in natural, pasture-raised, cruelty-free practices, the butcher shop makes all its meals the home-made way. For maximum green flavors, non-carne ingredients in their meals are 100% organic, and food is packaged in post-consumer paper or recyclable, reusable containers. The shop aims to minimize waste and it even breaks down meat leftovers to make dog food.
As the appeal of eco-friendly dining continues to rise worldwide, more and more restaurants will be embracing sustainable innovations and practices. If you’re looking to get the greenest and tastiest buck for your foodie bang, make sure you eat at restaurants that care as much about the environment and patrons’ health as they do about their bottom line. Bon appétit!
By: Chloe Taylor
Chloe is designer, environmentalist and blogger. She enjoys researching, learning and writing about sustainable design, productivity, and healthy lifestyle related topics. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take stunning photographs of beautiful places. You can find Chloe on FB and Twitter.
