KITCHEN

• Buy bulk food and condiments to use in refillable dispensers instead of single serving packages.
• Recycle cardboard boxes from shipments, or arrange for your supplier to reuse them.
• Donate leftover food to area food banks or shelters.
• Reuse plastic kitchen containers.
• Buy reusable mesh coffee filters.
• Donate coffee grounds for use as fertilizer.
• Feature beer on draft to cut waste and storage space requirements.
• Make cleaning rags or chef's aprons from torn or stained linen.
• Use cloth napkins or rags instead of one-time use materials to wipe up spills.
• Recycle glass, aluminum, cardboard and fryer oil (if possible) that is used in food preparation. If your volume isn't large enough for the recycler, recruit neighboring restaurants to participate so the quantity is enough for the program.
• Buy cleansers and mixes in concrete form, and use refillable dispensers.

OFFICE

• Whenever possible, use white paper for legal pads, phone message pads, promotional material, etc., instead of colored paper which is less recyclable.
• Recycle your office paper.
• Use staples and paper clips, not self-stick notes or labels, which are less recyclable.
• Use Recycled-content paper for your copier, letterhead, business cards, forms, dinner checks, etc. Have "chasing arrows" logo printed on the paper; your customers will notice and appreciate it.
• Copy two-sided when possible.
• Reuse scrap paper. Use both sides of paper for writing notes before recycling, or donate it to child care centers.
• Use half-page memo forms when possible to reduce paper usage.
• Acquire a copier with a duplex function that copies on both sides of the paper.
• Buy a plain paper fax machine instead of one that uses thermal fax paper, which is not recyclable.
• Use recycled paper for fax machine. Decrease the size of fax cover sheets; use self-stick ones; or, use a rubber stamp with message lines.
• Reuse folders and binders, or donate them to schools.
• Optimize print runs for letterhead and menus to avoid outdated material.
• Have central files to reduce duplication.
• Use erasable markerboards or bulletin boards in communal areas for office communication.
• Recharge toner cartridge pens and mechanical pencils instead of disposable one.

DINING

• Use durable, permanent tableware instead of disposables.
• Minimize the use of straws.
• Offer foundation beverages in glasses, not disposable cups.
• Use cloth napkins and tablecloths rather than disposable ones made of paper.
• Choose durable menus rather than disposable paper ones. If you prefer paper, use those made of recycled-content paper and note it with the "chasing arrows" logo signifying recycled-content paper; your customers will appreciate it.
• When possible, choose take-out containers made of recycle or degradable material.
• Before disposing of recyclable plastic containers, remove lids to facilitate recycling.
• Purchase refillable cartridge pens and mechanical pencils instead of disposable one.

DURABLE GOODS

• Use ceramic or plastic mugs for employees' drinks instead of disposables.
• Purchase high quality, durable equipment with good service contracts.
• Instead of throwing away broken equipment, have it repaired, or sell or donate it to someone who can repair it or use it for parts.
• Donate used furnishings, carpet, equipment, etc. to nonprofit organizations.

GENERAL

• Recycle cardboard boxes from shipments, or arrange for your supplier to reuse them.
• Ask your suppliers to reduce their packaging.
• Reuse pallets that your suppliers are shipped on, or return them to the supplier.
• Buy cleansers and mixes in concentrate form and use refillable dispensers.
• Use long-life, compact flourescent bulbs in exit signs.
• Replace reflectors in the flourescent bulb fixtures which can give you the same amount of light with fewer bulbs. They are available in commercial lighting stores.
• Use cloth towel machines or air dryers in bathrooms rather than disposable paper towels.
• If you are using paper towels, buy recycled-content ones. Toilet tissue is also available with recycled-content paper.
• Recycle stained or torn linens into cleaning rags.
• Look for disposable items that appear in large quantities in your trash. If possible, replace them with reusables or recyclable materials.