Pizza Today - November 2022 - 44

M
aking sustainable decisions can start
long before you open your doors or
reopen when it comes time to renovate.
In some cases, it doesn't
have to be a complete remodel
but an opportunity to evaluate
where you can improve upon
the initial buildout to be more
sustainable.
Selecting sustainable choices
during the buildout can not
only give the opportunity to
help the planet, but it can also
create operational savings.
Certified Sustainable
There a several certifications
that been launched over the
past several years that allow
owners to stamp their restaurant
as a sustainable business.
We'll highlight two here, but
you should check your local
area to see if there are local or
regional-specific certifications
near you.
While some restaurants may
be ready to go all-in, others can
use these programs as a guide to look
at areas to improve.
A common certification is LEED,
Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design. It is a green building
rating system that provides a framework
for healthy, highly efficient and
cost-savings green buildings. The
bottom-line numbers are impressive.
LEED-certified building accrued $1.2
billion in energy savings, $149.5 million
in water savings, $715.3 in main44
/ PIZZATODAY.COM / NOVEMBER 2022
tenance savings and $54.2 million in
waste savings based on 2015-2018
estimates.
Another common certification is
through a state green certification
program. California has a robust
initiative that combines both building
and operational practices through the
California Green Business Network.
Benchmark Pizzeria is a Certified
Green Business in Kensington, California.
" It means we've created and
implemented an environmental policy
statement under the guidance of the
CA Green Business Program, committed
to as many environmentallyour
faucets and in some cases, added
aerators, converted lighting to LEDs,
and changed our cleaning chemicals.
We've already been sourcing our food
from local, organic and fair-trade
producers. We want to prove to our
customers, vendors, and employees
that we are doing our part, as a local
business, to take care of the environment,
and to let all of those people
know our values, which is one of the
reasons we hope people will feel good
about supporting the restaurant, "
Swanson says.
" We want to prove to our
customers, vendors, and
employees that we are doing
our part, as a local business,
to take care of the environment,
and to let all of those
people know our values,
which is one of the reasons
we hope people will feel
good about supporting the
restaurant. "
- Melissa Swanson
Co-Owner, Benchmark Pizzeria
friendly practices as is practical, and
undergone audits of these practices by
local agencies, " says co-owner Melissa
Swanson.
She continues, " We've converted
our energy to all renewable via (local
energy provider) MCE, implemented
a composting program and revamped
recycling, committed to using
either paper or recyclable packaging,
added a couple of vegan options to
our menu, evaluated water flow of
Purchasing Power
Restaurants use five to seven
times more energy per square
foot than other commercial
buildings - even up to 10
times if you're are a highvolume
quick-serve restaurant,
according to EPA's Energy
Star Guide for Cafes, Restaurants
and Institutional Kitchens.
Choosing wisely when
buying materials and equipment
for your new pizzeria
of remodeled restaurant can
have a direct impact on your
sustainability and your wallet.
Purchase for the long game.
Let's look at some key areas
you can make an impact:
* Energy Efficiency. Your
biggest energy consumption
areas are your kitchen and
HVAC. Skimping on those
will cost you in energy savings
in the long run.
Pizzerias like Brooklyn Pizza Company
in Tucson, Arizona harness the
power of the sun with solar units on
its roof and parking structure.
Smart thermostat may be your
biggest defense to an energy sucking
HVAC system. Don't just have
one installed, you need to understand
when and how your restaurant uses
the HVAC and program the thermostat
accordingly. Be sure you have the
app downloaded to your phone so that
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