Blue Plate, one of Chicago's most successful and trusted catering and food solutions companies (www.blueplatechicago.com), has been 2 Star Certified by the Green Restaurant Association, and has now become Chicago's first and only green certified caterer.
To obtain the 2 Star Green rating, Blue Plate had to meet strict requirements set forth by the Green Restaurant Association in the following categories: water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable furnishings and building materials, sustainable food, and chemical and pollution reduction.
"At Blue Plate, we strive every day to minimize our impact on the environment through our catering practices," says Nancy Wright, president of Blue Plate. "We are honored to be Chicago's first and only green certified caterer and are committed to continually learning, changing and growing our sustainable knowledge and initiatives."
Environmentally-friendly practices that Blue Plate engages in on a regular basis include composting leftover food and food scraps produced during prep; recycling various materials including cooking oil, which is turned into biodiesel in Chicago; using Green Seal cleaning supplies, paper products, and hand soaps; providing reusable dishware for staff meals; and using Energy Star appliances and electronics and low flow faucets and spray valves.
Along with being Chicago's only green certified caterer, the Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition, an organization that focuses on helping hospitality establishments in Chicago reduce their impact on the environment, will award Blue Plate with the coveted title of Guaranteed Green, which enables Chicago diners to identify and support restaurants that have achieved a high level of environmental responsibility through an easy-to-spot spouting fork sticker featured at all guaranteed green restaurants and caterers.
"We started our program a few years ago and by receiving this certification now, I feel we have established a level of legitimacy which gives us the momentum to keep moving forward and marking new milestones," says Laura Lukas, Blue Plate's sustainability coordinator.
