Busboys and Poets is a green-driven company and is proud to have taken several steps to become more eco-conscious. We have adopted principles, policies and practices that improve the quality of life for our customers, our employees and our surrounding community.

    2010 Mayor's Environmental Excellence Award:     Outstanding Achievement by a Restaurant


    Featured Accoplishments

    • > Busboys & Poets is certified B Corporation™ which is a designation that differentiates good companies from just good marketing. B Corporations™ meet higher standards of social and environmental performance and legal accountability. Both of their Washington, DC locations are powered by Clean Currents, meaning that they use clean power from wind, a renewable energy source.

    • > At all three locations, Busboys & Poets recycle all of their kitchen oil for biofuel and recycle most paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. At their Virginia location they have installed low-flow aerators on all restroom sinks and changed all of the lightbulbs to compact fluorescent lighting in the event space.

    • > A number of their products are environmentally friendly. For instance, they use green cleaning supplies, their menus are printed on 100% recycled paper, and all of their carry-out items are recyclable (i.e. cutlery, containers, and coffee cups). In all offices, they use 100% recycled copy paper, recycle ink cartridges from printing and opt for the highest content of post-consumer recycled products for other items (i.e. ink pens, folders, writing pads, etc).

    • > Busboys & Poets serves 100% fair trade certified and organic coffees and teas. They offer organic wine, beer and liquor. They primarily serve Sustainable Seafood.

    • > Busboys & Poets also believes strongly in transparency which they see as an important component to any environmental agenda. Whether it is information pertaining to food source, food and beverage ingredients, operational issues, etc., they strive to make as much information available to their consumers as possible. They ensure effective and accurate dissemination of information through both posting information and educating members of their staff on all aspects of the business’ operations.

    • > Lastly, Busboys & Poets host a variety of environment-related events that provide a platform for members of the community to come together, discuss and learn about environmental causes and issues. For instance, on January 20, 2010 they hosted an author event co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group for the book, Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things. During this event, authors, Rick Smith and Bruce Lutheirie, discussed how the most dangerous pollution is no longer just about belching smokestacks and ugly sewer pipes but comes from commonplace items in their homes and workplaces. They closed the event by providing simple ideas for people to protect themselves and their families and changing things for the better. Also, mid-2009 they launched a series called G.R.A.S.P., Green Resources and Sustainable Practices. G.R.A.S.P. is a monthly sustainable living series with a new theme for each event. It is aimed at members of the community that are interested in leading a more "earth-friendly" life but are not sure how.


    Our Products


    Our straws, hot cups, and "to-go" utensils are made using bio-plastic derived from renewable sources like corn which is rigidly tested by the certified Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) as compostable in 60 days or less. We use earth-friendly cleaning supplies and liquids that are non-toxic, biodegradable, not tested on animals, and do not create harsh, unhealthy fumes.

    Clean Energy



    We are 100% wind-powered! Clean power is any source of energy that is renewable and produces little or no pollution. Being powered by Clean Currents helps reduce global warming, and also provides long-term economic control and stability.

     

    Recycling


    We recycle our oil for biofuel, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions as well as reduces dependence on imported oil. We recycle cardboard boxes, paper, plastic, glass and aluminum.


    Energy Saving Products and Practices



    We only offer water to our guests upon request; not only to prevent pouring water for guests that don't need it but also to save the energy that would have been used to wash the glass and create the ice used. We also only offer straws and napkins upon request. We use energy-saving LED TV's that use up to 40% less power than conventional LCD TV's, and do not contain mercury or lead.


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