Release Date: 15/08/2008
Catering businesses in Richmond upon Thames are being encouraged to go green and reduce their carbon footprint.
Richmond Council has developed a new green business support and accreditation programme to help businesses in Richmond upon Thames improve their environmental performance.
The programme includes a series of events and seminars designed to inform businesses on how they can save money and resources through energy, waste, water, travel and procurement efficiencies.
Restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels are invited to take part in the Green Caterers workshop on Tuesday 2 September.
Attendees will be able to benefit from one to one energy, water and recycling surgeries run by experts from organisations including Carbon Descent, London Sustainability Exchange and London Remade.
The workshop will take place at Arthur’s on the Green restaurant in Twickenham, who will bravely open the lid on their bins to undergo a demonstrative waste audit.
All participants will also receive a free environmental gift, choosing amongst recycled glass carafes for serving tap water, five-litre cans of Ecover washing up liquid and a one-year membership to Considerate Hoteliers Association.
Businesses interested in taking part should register as soon as possible to guarantee their place.
Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said:
“Adapting businesses to meet green requirements can be a challenge but the Council aims to provide as much information and support as possible to enable businesses come up with practical ways of finding long term environmental solutions.
“We invite all food businesses in the borough to take part and find out more about the Council’s green business service, which includes an accreditation scheme and gives businesses the opportunity to promote their green credentials and gain recognition for reducing their environmental impact.”
Adrienne Rowe, owner of Arthur's on the Green, said:
"At Arthur's on the Green and Arthur's bythe River we are very aware of our green responsibilities and do our best to be as environmentally efficient as possible.
We are therefore delighted to be taking part in this waste audit and expect to learn a lot about how we can improve our waste management."
For more information and to book a place please contact Sophie Maqsood on 020 8891 7332 or Sophie.Maqsood@richmond.gov.uk. When registering, businesses should provide their company name, type of catering business, contact details, name of attendees and choice of freebie.