This year, make it your resolution as a restaurant industry professional to save some money while saving the environment. Making your restaurant green is trendy, but more importantly, it’s for the future!

Did you know?

- Last year, almost 30% of all meals (and 40% of of food dollars) were eaten away from home
- Nationwide, the restaurant industry consumes 1/3rd of all retail electricity use
- Demand for organic food is growing at a rate of 25% per year

What can you do?

The website GoGreener.org has a large amount of helpful information for you, but here are some statistics and tips:

- Cooking equipment consumes the largest share of energy in most restaurants. Try to purchase energy efficient equipment — those featuring the Energy Star rating from the US EPA. Most of the Beverage Air line is Energy Star rated, and you can find it here at ShortOrder.com.

- Turn on electric appliances sequentially rather than all at the same time.

- Keep everything clean! The more debris that collects, the harder the restaurant appliances have to work.

- Install light sensitive dimmers that automatically dim when outside natural light is strong enough.

- Install occupancy sensors in restrooms and storage areas – they will turn off lights automatically when the rooms aren’t occupied.

- Install low-flow valves on pre-rinse sprayers. They cost just a few dollars reduce water use by 50% and could save hundreds per year in both heating and water costs.

For more information, check out GoGreener.org. Together, we can help make 2009 more profitable now and for the future!