10/08: Radial Cafe'
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GreenPlate's Mission
GreenPlate raises awareness about the adverse impacts of plastics on people and environment. Our first initiative "Get Plastic Out of Your Diet" partners with local restaurants, bars, and caterers to reduce the use of disposable petroleum- based plastics. Certified GreenPlate members pledge to ban Styrofoam, recycle plastics, and buy green alternatives to take-out materials. (Finally, we can get "Guilt-Free To-Go"!)
Our emails will reveal somewhat shocking truths about plastics, feature stories about restaurants and individuals who are making a difference, and offer specials at participating restaurants.
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WARNING: Tough Video to Watch: Synthetic Seas. Just How Much Plastic? In an area of the Pacific Ocean twice the size of the U.S. known as the N. Pacific Gyre, Algalita Marine Research Foundation has researched and found plastics outweigh neighboring plankton by more than 6:1.
Featured Restaurant: Radial Cafe'
Owner of award-winning Radial Cafe, Phil Palmer has long been a strong proponent of eco-friendly living at work and at home. From avoiding plastics to installing water-conserving toilets, Phil carefully considers every purchase and is always forward-thinking in his efforts. GreenPlate interviewed Phil - Enjoy some juicy green tidbits...
GP: Why say "No" to Plastics?
PHIL: Plastics from every angle are just a really bad idea. Beginning with the fact that plastic is made from petroleum. If we are going to war for access to oil, when it comes to using it to wrap our food, there are simply better choices.
GP: How do you fight Plastics?
PHIL: I actively look for ways to not bring plastic into my restaurant. I buy products based on packaging, for example, I'll choose the jar of pickles that comes in glass instead of plastic. And I take those decisions home, too.
GP: What's a Dirty Plastic Secret?
At Radial we are stuck with an inventory of plastic bags. Aaargh! They only came in lots of 12,000 and that was 5 yrs ago!
GP: What's Your Tip to Readers?
PHIL: Do Something... Anything!
Just start wherever you can.
Our Heroine: Lily Askue
One Person Can Make a Difference:
Target Worker Helps Pharmacy Stop Being a Pill
Lily Askue noticed the plastic stock bottles, dispensers and pill bottles were getting trashed rather than recycled at her place of work, the Target Pharmacy. To a girl raised on reuse and recycling, she was distressed to see the all that could be recycled simply heading to the landfill. So, she asked her team to start setting aside the plastics and she would take them home for recycling weekly. It took a while, but once people were used to a new system, the pharmacy started generating a couple of trash bags full each week. Lily and her boss now share the task of transporting for recycling.
And the story gets better. Target is now reportedly working with recycling companies to determine how best recycle pharmacy plastics nationwide. They may have to make adjustments in production dyes and adhesives for best results, but go Target. And, thanks, Lily!
