Eco-minded restaurant lists carbon footprint for each menu item
Much the way French Europcar shows customers the carbon emissions associated with each of its rental cars, so a new restaurant chain includes such information for every item on its vegetarian menu.
With two restaurants in each of New York and London, Australia-based Otarian bills itself as "the first ever low-carbon restaurant chain, using a cradle-to-grave analysis in the carbon footprinting of every menu item." Almost everything in Otarian's restaurants—from the floor to the tables and chairs—is made from recycled materials. They use the most energy-efficient equipment available, and all the electricity powering them comes from wind, water or sun. Water use is minimised, and local supplies are selected whenever possible. Targeting the heavy emissions associated with the livestock industry, meanwhile, the restaurant offers no meat on its menu. Most interesting of all, however, is that Otarian uses international standards like BSI PAS 2050 to carbon footprint its entire menu; it has also been selected to road test the new Greenhouse Gas Protocol product standard. Its "Eco2tarian Labelling" shows the difference in greenhouse gas emissions between its veggie meals and similar dishes containing meat, fish or egg. Otarian even goes so far as to reward consumers for the carbon they save by eating at its restaurants. Specifically, every purchase earns them "Carbon Karma" credits, which are tracked by way of the restaurant's Carbon Karma cards; consumers can track both their credits and their carbon savings online. After 100 credits, they are treated to a free Choco Treat off the menu.
As legions of eco-minded consumers begin tracking their impact on the environment, there's no shortage of opportunities for companies to stand out by offering the eco intel they need to do that. Eventually, we suspect, that will become hygiene. (Related: Consumers get paid to reduce their emissions.)
Website: www.otarian.com
Contact: info@otarian.com
Spotted by: Branwen Santos
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