EAT & Resources for Restaurants
The Alabama Environmental Council supports it’s partners with a professional social media campaign on instagram and facebook. We also provide our partner restaurants with a seal that identifies them as a sustainable choice for consumers. The Seal can be used on food delivery apps, websites, social media and wherever else you advertise, so that consumers know you are a restaurant that cares about their health and the health of the planet.
Fill out an application to be a friend or partner of the AEC and a representative will be in contact with you. EAT Partner Application
Or feel free to contact Lauren Guillebeau at laurenisearthaware@gmail.com or call (205) 919-5466.
Not to worry if you do not currently meet the criteria. We can help! Thank you for your kind interest in becoming a member of the Earth Aware Team and in wanting to be a part of making this a safer and healthier world to live in!
Using only reusable foodware for on-site dining reduces avoidable waste which deplete natural resources, and raises concerns about toxic chemicals that pollute the environment and endanger human health.
Please see:
RESTAURANT GUIDE 5 EASY STEPS TO REDUCE PLASTIC AND BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS
Level 1 - FRIENDS OF THE AEC Do Not Use Styrofoam because...
It’s toxic and carcinogenic, posing a health risk to humans and it is poisoning the environment – Polystyrene manufacturing is the fifth largest industrial producer of hazardous waste.
If the container you decide to use as an alternative to Styrofoam has PFAS, use a PFAS-Free liner to safeguard your customers from toxic chemicals – YOU WILL STILL BE A FRIEND OF THE AEC BY NOT USING STYROFOAM. THANK YOU!
(To learn more about PFAS, read below)
Level 2 - SILVER PARTNERS Take Sustainability to the NEXT LEVEL
If you meet all the criteria for a NO STYRO FRIEND and you COMPOST as well, you qualify as a SILVER Level Partner
When food waste is kept out of landfills and is composted, it provides valuable nutrients to farms that in turn grow food for your table.
In Birmingham and surrounding areas you can contact
IF COMPOSTING IS NOT AN OPTION (Choose 3 of the following sustainable practices)
- Buy local, preferably organic produce and humanely raised animals when possible (at least 5% of COGS is from local suppliers)
- Offer plant-based proteins
- Donate leftovers Contact FEEDBHM or Magic City Harvest
- No beverages sold in plastic bottles
- Advertise that you will refill water bottles
- Accept personal containers for take-out
Level 3 - GOLD PARTNERS USE LOW TO NO PFAS Food Service Containers
Polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS, have been shown to migrate out of foodware and into our food and they are toxic.
HOW TO FIND PRODUCTS THAT HAVE LOW TO NO PFAS
Hit the Easy Button – Look for BPI Certification www.bpiworld.org
All products that are BPI Certified are free of intentionally added PFAS, and have a total fluorine limit of 100 ppm. They are also compostable!
If you need assistance in finding alternative products do not hesitate to contact us. We have resources that can help. Email Lauren at laurenisearthaware@gmail.com
PFAS is most prevalent in molded fiber foodware. Typically, it does not contain a visible liner. Instead, fluorinated compounds are often mixed into the molded fiber slurry. This imparts grease- and water-resistance to the foodware product.
See: Center for Environmental Health Guide to Safer Foodware
For more information see
Focus and Intentions
Alabama Environmental Council, formerly Alabama Conservancy, was established in 1967 before the first Earth Day, before the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, and before there was an Environmental Protection Agency. We were the first environmental advocacy organization in the state! We have an admirable history that you may not be aware of. We invite you to read Protecting Alabama: A History of the Alabama Environmental Council written by Clara Ruth Hayman.
