Our Certification Requirements
The GDA’s comprehensive, 3rd party certification process recognizes and celebrates restaurants that have demonstrated a commitment to the environment through practices and policies that shape the way they do business.
What exactly do we mean by “green?”
Here are the overall considerations we take into account:
What’s coming into the restaurant? Are they:
- buying ingredients and products that are local, organic and/or responsibly raised?
- leaving behind a low-impact trail of trash and pollution?
- Ex: Polystyrene (Styrofoam) production and recycling are hard on both the environment and those who come into contact with it.
What’s happening inside the restaurant? Are they:
- conserving water, energy, and other natural resources?
- considering social sustainability?
- Ex: buying Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance – certified coffee and tea, or participating in a community give-back program
And what’s happening when all of those resources leave the restaurant? Are they:
- diverting re-usable Missouri resources from landfills?
- Ex: Aluminum cans can be recycled and back on the shelf in just 30 days, and the entire process happens here in the Gateway region!
- Ex. Did you know that when organics – any foods, plants, or paper products – get dumped in landfills, they produce a significant portion of our nation’s methane emissions? However when organics are recycled via composting, the carbon and nutrients break down properly and are fed back into the soil, becoming a useful product while keeping methane out of our atmosphere.
To sum it all up, we call an establishment, product, or practice “green” when the environmental impact of everyday actions are considered, and lifestyles and systems reflect these considerations.
Not all of St. Louis’ restaurants are green in the same ways, and some decisions can have a stronger impact than others. Be wary of “greenwashing.” Whether you own a restaurant or you’re going out to eat, we’ll help you discern the difference. (Read more here)
Core Concepts: Backbone of Green Restaurants
While we see many different ways that St. Louis’ restaurants may work toward sustainability, all GDA restaurants must commit to our Core Concepts:
- Ban the use of Styrofoam
- Utilize single-stream recycling
- Phase in energy-efficient lighting
- Set waste reduction and diversion goals
The Certification Process
All GDA Member Restaurants have gone through an in-depth certification process and have proven that they’re actively working to to reduce their environmental impact.
For Restaurants, becoming Certified takes a few simple steps:
1. Restaurant signs our online Commitment Form, becoming a Pending Member.
2. Restaurant and GDA schedule an audit and conduct the audit together, on-site. The restaurant pays their membership fee at this time.
3. Within one month, the GDA delivers the restaurant’s report and score – now the restaurant is a Certified Member and is eligible for member benefits.
The GDA Audit
Once a restaurant signs our Commitment Form, restaurants undergo the GDA’s certification audit. The GDA serves as a 3rd party-certifying agent and conducts a thorough, on-site interview, walk-through, and consultation.
Because sustainability is an ongoing journey, we meet business owners where they are – helping to guide them along on the path to environmental responsibility.
Audit scores are reflected in a Member’s Star Rating:
Shades of Green
There are 4 levels of certification for restaurant management and operations:
5 Star GDA Restaurant: Exemplary understanding and performance of sustainable practices
4 Star GDA Restaurant: Incorporates environmentally responsible practices throughout management & operations
3 Star GDA Restaurant: Exceeds fundamental standards for environmental responsibility
2 Star GDA Restaurant: Meets fundamental standards for environmental responsibility
Restaurants and businesses in your community are making a difference every day.
Join this Alliance of green professionals and help us make St. Louis a better place.
