Green Turtle Restaurant Joins GBP
Fans of all things green will be happy to learn that the Green Turtle Inn Restaurant, which hosts Green Drinks, has now become Green Certified. The first full-service restaurant to become certified in GLEE’s Green Business Program, according to management, the greening will not stop there.
Located at MM 81.5, The Green Turtle, which started as a roadside café and inn, has been serving locals and tourists since 1947. In their move to green the operation, the Green Turtle staff has implemented a recycling program, replaced all light bulbs with energy saving CFLs, added window tinting to skylights to deflect heat and save energy, and installed weather stripping where needed to reduce energy loss.
Water conservation measures are now being practiced in the kitchen, while low-flow toilets and faucet aerators help reduce water consumption in restrooms. Management is also choosing biodegradable or recyclable supplies for take out items, an important move for any restaurant looking to go green.
“While the greening of the operation was accomplished step by step, management included everyone in the process, which guarantees a more successful transition,” said GLEE board member Christi Allen. In a work environment where several languages are spoken, the use of cartoons -- “Ninja Turtles” on a green mission -- helped get the message across by overcoming language barriers and adding humor to the process. “It was refreshing to have management and staff so enthusiastic about the process,” said Allen, who encouraged the application process and served as a mentor along the way.
The process of becoming green certified has inspired Green Turtle staff to take the greening of their operation even further. Organic wines are now available, and a compost program that will nourish a vegetable garden is in future plans for the historic restaurant that also offers employee housing on an adjacent site.
Each of these improvements will save the business money in the long run and add to the restaurant’s credibility as a business that makes every effort to reduce its impact on the environment.
Click the links to find out more information on GLEE’s Green Business Certification Program, or to learn about local Green Drinks in your area.