DearFoodProviderOwner,Manager,PurchaserorGreenLeader,WeareacoalitionofcommunitypartnersreachingouttohelpwithyourtransitiontocomplywiththeCityofMonterey’supdatestotheirCityCodeondisposablefoodserviceware. Theordinance (found at www.codepublishing/CA/Monterey), was passed by the City Council inDecemberandgoesintoeffectApril22,2019.Itrequiresfoodpurveyorstostopusingplasticsthatarenotrecyclable.Allservicewaresuchastake-outlids,containers,andutensilsmustbemade of compostable material. Straws must be paper, pasta based or reusable. Reusableservice-waremustbeprovidedfordineincustomers.ThisToolkitisdesignedtohelpidentifyacceptablealternatives,offerbestpracticesandtipstopreparingyourstaffandmessagingtoyourcustomers.

TOOLKIT MENU

City of Monterey Code Update Frequently Asked Questions Compliant Products Talking Points for Wait Staff Messaging to Customers Surfrider Ocean Friendly Restaurants Green Business Program

Pleasedirectsuggestionsorquestionstothecontacts included intheToolkit. Weappreciateyour leadership inmakingMonterey amodel eco-tourist destination around the nation andworld.Thistoolkit,andupdatestoit,canbefoundonlineathttp://sustainablemontereycounty.org/monterey-homeandhttp://monterey.surfrider.org

CITY OF MONTEREY CODE UPDATE: DISPOSABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE

I n f o r m a t i o n f o r F o o d P r o v i d e r s

Questions? Contact the Sustainability Office - MontereyRecycles.org Mallory Pankretz, 831-235-5415 or Ted Terrasas, 831-646-5662

Effective April 22, 2019 Applies to: Food providers, city facilities, city contractors, and special event

participants

– Non-PLA (polylactic acid) compostable straws (paper, pasta, sugarcane) – Reusable straws (metal, silicone, bamboo, glass) – Reusable or compostable stirrers (bamboo)     DINE-OUT ONLY – Plastic #1 or #2 to-go containers – Compostable to-go containers (PLA, paper, sugarcane) – Compostable utensils (bamboo, PLA) – Compostable cups and lids (wheat straw, PLA) Permitted alternative materials include but are not limited to examples provided.

PERMITTED

– Plastic straws, utensils, stirrers, cup lids - PLA or bioplastic straws - Plastic containers #3, #4, #5, and #6 - Any disposable food service ware for dine-in customers (must be reusable)

PROHIBITED

– All compostable products must meet the standards of the Monterey City Code, Chapter 14, Article 3 at     www.codepublishing.com/CA/Monterey – PLA products may be placed in the food waste recycling or garbage and all food soiled cardboard must be placed in the garbage – not the recycling bin. – When in doubt about whether a product is recyclable, consult the What Goes Where app or                               www.whatgoeswhere.info. 

GENERAL REMINDERS

Exemption: A plastic straw shall be provided to individuals self-

identifying as having a disability making the use of a plastic

straw necessary.

FrequentlyAskedQuestionsMonterey’sDisposableFoodServiceWareOrdinance

WhyisMontereyaddingthisordinancetotheCitycode?

Throughthisupdatedordinanceonreducingplastics,theCityofMontereyjoinsagrowingnumberofcitiesaroundtheworldinaddressingtheplasticpollutioncrisisinourseas.Plasticstrawsandservicewareincludedintheordinancecomprise4ofthetop5trashitemsfoundonlocalbeaches.Thesesingle-useplasticitemsarenot,andneverhavebeen,recyclable,andtheylasthundredsofyearsintheenvironment.Intheocean,theyaremistakenasfoodresultinginkillingmarinelifeandevenenteringourfoodchain.

WiththeprivilegeofourlivinganddoingbusinessinthebeautifulbackdropofMontereyBay’sMarineSanctuary,comesaresponsibilitytobeamodelfortherestoftheworldonhowweprotectthisdestinationforfuturegenerations.

Monterey’sCityordinancebuildsupontheCAstatelaw(AB1884)passedlastyearandineffectJan.1’2019,requiringalldine-inrestaurantstoserveplasticstrawsonlyonrequest.ThisupdatealsobuildsuponMonterey’sexistingcodetoprohibituseofpolystyrenefoam.

Whodoestheordinanceapplyto?

Theordinanceappliestofoodproviders,CitycontractorsandspecialeventparticipantsintheCityofMonterey.AfoodprovidermeansanyvendorlocatedorprovidingfoodwithintheCitywhichprovidespreparedfoodonoroffitspremisesandincludeswithoutlimitationanystore,shop,salesoutlet,restaurant,grocerystore,supermarket,delicatessen,food/cateringtruckorvehicle,includingvendorslocatedoutsideoftheCitywhendeliveringpreparedfoodintheCity.

Arethereanyexemptionsforbusinesses?

ApersonmayapplyforanexemptionfromtheCityCoderequirementsfordisposablefoodservicewareforonenonrenewableone-yearperiod.TheapplicationmustbeinwritingandmustincludeallinformationnecessaryfortheDirector(KimCole,580PacificStreet,Monterey,CA93940orcole@monterey.org)tomakeadetermination,includingbutnotlimitedtoastatementofthesupportingfactsmadeunderpenaltyofperjury,documentationshowingfactualsupportfortheexemptionandrecommendedCityactionsthatwouldfacilitatecompliance.TheDirectormayrequiretheapplicanttoprovideadditionalinformationandmaydenytheapplicationiftheapplicantfailstoprovideit.

Also,whenprovidingdine-outservices,theremaybeanexemptionfromusingordistributingdisposablefoodservicewarethatiscompostableorrecyclableifnoaffordablealternative(acompostableorrecyclableproductthatcostsupto15percentmorethanthepurchasecostofthenon-compostableornon-recyclablealternative(s))thoughthisexceptionshallnotpermittheuseordistributionuseofaplasticstraw.

Whatitemsareprohibited?

ThisupdatetotheCitycodeaddsplasticstrawsandfoodservice-waretothecurrentlistofprohibiteditemsmadewithpolystyrenefoam.Foodservicewareisdefinedas“productsbyfoodprovidersforconsuming,packaging,servingandtransportingready-to-consumefoodandbeverages,including,butnotlimitedto,utensils,straws,beveragestirrers,condimentpicks,plates,bowls,cups,cuplids,trays,boxes,clamshells,packagingandcontainers”.TheCityCodeSection14-16statescharacteristicsofprohibiteddisposablefoodserviceitems,withtheprohibitionstatedasfollows:

(1) DistributionofPolystyreneFoam(2) DistributionofPlasticstraws*(seeexceptionFAQ)withplasticasdefined(inSection14-

15)whichsays“materialderivedfrompetroleumorabiologicalbasedpolymersuchascornorotherplantsources”.ThislatterdefinitioncoversPLAplasticthataredeemedcompostable.

(3) DistributionoffoodservicewarethatisnotRecyclableorCompostableunlessthereisnoAffordableAlternative.AffordableAlternativeisdefined(inSection14-15)as“costsupto15%morethanthepurchaseofnon-compostableornon-recyclablealternative”.Plasticcontainersrated#3,#4,#5and#6areprohibitedbecausetheyarenotrecyclable.Fordine-incustomers,allfoodservicewaremustbereusable.

Whatitemsareallowed?Where/howcanIpurchasethese?

Forstraws,theallowableitemsarenon-plastic(includingnon-PLA)compostablestrawsandstirrers,includingbynotlimitedtopaper,pasta,sugarcane,bamboo,orreusablestrawsincludingbutnotlimitedtometal,silicone,bamboo,orglass.

Forallotherfoodserviceware,theallowableareitemsarecertifiedcompostable,includingPLA,aswellas#1and#2plastics.Generallyspeaking,allutensilsforto-gowarewillneedtobecompostable.Everythingelse(cups,containers,etc.)willneedtobecompostableorplastics#1or#2,sincetheyarerecyclable.

Thesecompliantproductsshouldbeavailablefromyourdistributor,localsupplystoreoronline.Acurrentlistofcomplaintproductswithmanufacturerandreferencesisofferedinthistoolkit.

Arethereexceptionstodistributingtheprohibiteditems?

Yes.Becausepaperstraws,oneofthemostcommonavailablealternativetoplastic,lackthedurabilitytomeettheneedsofthosewithdisabilitieswhorequireastrawforbeverageandfoodconsumption,CityCodeSection14-16prohibitsplasticstrawsexcept:

“whenaconsumerself-identifyingasapersonwithadisabilitymakingtheuseofaPlasticstrawnecessaryspecificallyrequestsaPlasticStraw,whereuponthe(business)shallprovideaPlasticstrawtotheconsumer”

WhyarecompostablePLAstrawsprohibited?

PLAstrawsarecompostable(breakdown)onlyincommercialcompostingfacilitiesthatreachtemperaturesof1400F.However,theyactjustlikeregularplasticsinoceanandlandenvironments,lastingforhundredsofyearsandendangeringmarinelife.Forthisreasonandthefactthatstrawsarelighter,prolificinuse,andthusmorelikelytoescapeintotheenvironment,Montereyincludescompostable,PLAstrawsintheprohibitedlist.

WhatdoesPLAmean?

Poly(Lactic)Acidisaformofplasticalternativethatisbiodegradableinanindustrialcompostsystem(notabackyard,andnotintheenvironment).It’smadefromrenewablebiomass,ororganicwastematerial,suchasfermentedcornstarch.

Whenisthiseffective?

BusinessesreceivedaCityinvitationtoparticipateinapublicmeetinglastMaytogatherinputontheordinance.TheMontereyCityCouncilpassedtheordinanceinDecemberof2018withaneffectivedateApril22,2019.Foodprovidersareexpectedtobeincompliancebythisdateanddeemedtobeinthegraceperioduntilthen.

WhathappensifIdon’tcomply?

TheCitymayinspectthepremisesofanyfoodprovidertoverifycompliance;provided,thatthepremisesislocatedwithintheCity.Forafirstviolation,theCityshallprovidenoticetotheperson(s)violatingtheCityCodethataviolationhasoccurred.

Foranyviolationafterthefirstviolation,theCityshallhavetheauthoritytotakeanyoneormoreofthefollowingactions:

(1) Issueanadministrationcitation(2) Prosecutetheviolationasacriminalinfractionoramisdemeanor.(3) Petitionacourtofcompetentjurisdictionforinjunctiveand/ordeclaratoryrelief.(4) Seeanyotherremedyavailableatlaw,inequity,and/orbystatute.

HowdoIdisposeof…andtellmycustomershowtodisposeof…compostableserviceware?

Itisimportantthatcompostableservicewaregoeitherinfoodwastecontainersorthetrash.Putintherecyclablebins,theyblockuprecyclingsystemsandprocessing.PleaserefertoMRWMD’sdisposalguidelinesandsignupwiththecityofMontereyfoodwasteprogramtocompostthesewithotherfoodscraps.Learnmorehere:https://monterey.org/Services/Community-Development/Sustainability/Zero-Waste/Food-Scrap-Collection-Program

MRWMD’sWhatGoesWhereapplicationandwebtoolisagreatwaytofindouthowtodisposeofanything.

Whatstrawalternativesarerecommendedforconsumerswithself-identifieddisabilitiesrequestingaplasticstraw?

ArecentsurveywasconductedbytheDisabilityOrganizingNetworktoidentifywhichalternativestoplasticwouldbemostacceptableforpeoplewithdisabilitieswhorelyonastraw.Thesurveyfoundthat,strawsthataresturdy(non-paper),bendable,andhaveatactilecomforttothemouthwerethebestalternativestoplastic.However,theordinancestatesthataplasticstrawbeprovidedforanyoneself-identifyingwithadisabilityrequiringaplasticstraw.Forsituationswhereaconsumerrequests/requiresaplasticstraw,althoughnotrequiredbyCityCode,thebestalternativeisabendablestrawofdurablematerialssuchasplastic.However,businessescanalsoofferbentmetalorsiliconstrawsthatwereontherecommendedlist,asmoreeco-friendlieralternatives.

WhatdoIdowithmystraightplasticstrawinventory?

ItissuggestedthatbusinessesgothroughtheirplasticinventoryinthegraceperiodleadinguptoApril22.Afterwhichtheycanconsiderreturningtothemanufactureforcredit,upcyclingwithanartorschoolgrouporkeepingasmallsettoofferonrequestforindividuals’self-identifyingasapersonwithadisabilitymakingtheuseofaplasticstrawnecessary.

WhodoIcontactformoreinformation?

ContactMalloryPankretz,CityofMontereySustainabilityOffice:pankretz@monterey.orgor(831)235-5415

Vendor Name Contact Website / Phone Location Products Available

American Supply Greg Molinari

831-394-1445 americansupplycompany.com

1033 Broadway Ave, Seaside 93955

Compostable cups, plates, bowls, utensils, straws, to-go containers,

biodegradable bags

Better Brands Food Products

(831) 724-7243 www.betterbrandsfood.com

256 Kearney St. Ext., Watsonville

Compostable food ware including plates, cutlery, & to-go containers.

Biodegradable can liners

Costco 831-899-1256, 831-469-0961 www.costco.com

801 Tioga Ave, Sand City; 220 Sylvania Ave, Santa Cruz

Compostable plates, clamshells and paper products

Coast Paper & Supply

831-423-3350, coastpapersupplyinc.com 151 Josephine St, Santa Cruz

Compostable plates, bowls, utensils, ramekins, cups, to-go

containers

Ledyard's (831) 462-4400 www.ledyard.com

1047 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA

Compostable and recyclable to-go containers, plates, cups, utensils,

bowels, straws, biodegradable bags

Monterey Sanitary Supply

Matthew Dalhamer

831-373-8714 www.montereysanitary.com

1 Justin Ct, Monterey, CA 93940

Compostable plates, cups, utensils, ramekins, straws,

biodegradable bags, recyclable bowls and to-go containers

New Leaf Community

Market831-291-3069, newleaf.com 2 Santa Cruz locations: 1134

Pacific Ave and 1101 Fair AveCompostable cups, plates, straws,

bowls, biodegradable bags

Passion Purveyors

Carolyn Swanson

831.383.9215 www.passionpurveyors.com

1120 Forest Avenue #130, Pacific Grove

Compstable plates, cups, utensils, bowls, ramekins, straws, take-out packaging, biodegradable bags

Smart & Final 831-393-0250 www.smartandfinal.com

1560 Canyon Del Rey, Seaside

Compostable cups, plates, utensils, ramekins, take-out

packaging

Sysco Food Services

(800) 877-7012, www.sysco.com

5900 Stewart Ave, Fremont, CA

Compostable plates, cups, bowls, utensils, take-out packaging,

biodegradable bags, paper straws

Sysco (local rep.)

Joe Prospero 831-262-2276

Big Sur, Carmel Valley, South Monterey County, Santa Cruz

County and Monterey Peninsula

Compostable to-go containers, utensils, cups, plates, bowls,

biodegradable bags, paper straws

Whole Foods831-333-1600, 831-464-2900,

831-426-9901 wholefoodsmarket.com

800 Del Monte Center in Monterey, 1710 41st Ave in

Capitola, and 911 Soquel Ave in Santa Cruz

Compostable utensils and biodegradable can liners.

Environmentally Friendly Food Packaging Supplier ListMonterey Bay Area

For info on food scrap composting see: www.organicstoenergy.orgUpdated 4/12/2017

Useful URLs for Compliance and Transition

http://sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34104 The City of San Jose’s exhaustive list for alternatives to foam containers. However, the listed PLA/compostable straws are prohibited in Monterey’s ordinance. https://www.cleanwateraction.org/files/publications/Reusable%20Foodware%20Service%20Guide.pdf Clean Water Action Reusable Service ware Guide is the best resource for pricing on reusable items, has a cost calculator to help make economic comparisons. https://www.eco-pliant.com has straws only on website, but coming out with economical alternatives for all disposable service ware this month http://passionpurveyors.com/wp/ Local Monterey distributor of eco-friendly service ware https://thelastplasticstraw.org/resources/ Plastic straw alternatives.

A Case for Metal Straws

Some neighboring Monterey restaurants began serving metal straws last year in anticipation of initiatives to reduce single-use plastic pollution. Owners and staff from Jennini’s Kitchen and Wine Bar in Pacific Grove and three Paso Robles restaurants: Fish Gaucho, Pappy McGregor’s and 1122 shared their metal straw service experience with Sustainable Monterey volunteers. Overall, the metal straws received praise by customers while saving the restaurants money. The following describes these restaurants’ best practices and advice for others considering metal straws. Review your beverage list and identify drinks really needing straws. Minimize the type and size to use and purchase -- the fewer types the better. Purchased online, metal straws cost approximately $.50. Fish Gaucho serves two sizes: an 8” straight with attached circle-stirrer and a longer bent straw. Fish Gaucho typically serves 400 cocktails a night while using only 20-30 metal straws. Adopt ‘Straws Only on Request’ Policy and Train Your Staff. Now, a CA law (AB1884) for dine-in restaurants, serve drinks without straws and provide straws only upon the patron’s request. Train your staff and message appropriately to customers during and after the transition. Hide straws from customer view to visually express and support the policy. Message to your customers. Though their move to metal straws preceded city ordinances and respective messaging, Fish

Gaucho’s transition went smoother than expected because the public was mostly aware of the plastic pollution crisis. When staff explained the reasoning for metal straws, most customers understood. The ‘Skip the Straw’ button worn by staff helped open the conversation with customers or spoke for itself. Messaging on your menu can save table space and inform customers to the reasoning behind the change. It can be as simple as adding straws to “water and straws served on request only”.

Customer Acceptance Customers’ knowledge on the plastic pollution crisis is growing, and we are seeing a change in behavior to prefer metal straws over paper and plastic ones. An increasing number of customers are starting to carry their own personal metal straw. From a 2018 survey1on acceptable alternatives for disabled communities, metal straws (bent and with rubber tips) earned second place as a recommended alternative behind bent plastic straws to which they were accustomed.

What about theft? Fish Gaucho offers their straws for sale to deter theft. Jeninni’s Kitchen and Wine Bar encourages patrons to ask restaurant staff to purchase the metal straws.

What about cleaning? It does a little extra effort to clean the straw’s interior before it is placed in the dishwasher. Otherwise, metal straws are cleaned and sanitized like any other silverware. Restaurants in Paso Robles are piloting a straw washing tool (see below images) with brushes that clean the inside and outside at the same time, cutting cleaning time in half.

Contact sustainablemonterey@gmail.com to request more information on this product or metal straws.

Do the Math. With the cost of paper straws as high as 4X that of plastic straws and the growing number of cities which have banned plastic straws, reusable metal straws merit consideration. Fish Gaucho served 4800 plastic straws each month before switching to metal straws. They estimate that by not purchasing plastic straws each month, they save $200-$300 each week. mass monthly straw purchases, saves them $200-$300 a week. Projecting these savings over a year can save restaurants considerable amounts on inventory. Compare the cost scenarios of for recurring paper straw purchases with the initial investment and monthly cleaning costs of metal straws – the results may surprise you. Give it a try! Start your restaurant’s transition by not serving straws at all, unless requested by the customer or required in specific drinks. See how people respond! The number of people that typically request a straw is less than 10%. Train your staff to respond intelligently and mention the positive benefits that reducing single-use plastics have on our environment.

Sustainable Monterey thanks Donovan Schmit, Matt Hansen, Thaimin Saleh and the staff at Fish Gaucho and Pappy McGregors for sharing their experiences with our restaurant community. And Kyle Burnett, Lauren Howerton and Ianthe Duncan-Poole for their help in interviews and filming. 1Disability Organizing Network, http://disabilityorganizing.net/news-topics/?id=694

BEAUTYWORTHPROTECTINGAttentionStaff:It’suptoallofustoprotectourbeautifulcommunityandthewildlifethatmakesitsospecial.ThebeautyandrichmarinelifeoftheMontereyBayNationalMarineSanctuaryisamajorreasonthatpeoplefromaroundtheworldvisitMontereyCounty–andwhywelivehere,too!

Statelawrequiresweonlyofferstrawsuponrequest,andtheCityofMontereyrequiresustostopusingplasticsthatcan’tberecycled.Ourlidsandtake-oututensilsarecompostable.To-gocontainersmadeofPLAarealsocompostableor,iftheyareplastic#1and#2,theyarerecyclable.Strawsandstirrersmustbepaper/wood/pasta-basedorreusable.Thereisoneimportantexceptiontotheno-strawsrule!IFacustomerwithadisabilityasksforaplasticstrawbecausethatiswhatworksbestforthem,pleasegivethemaplasticstraw–noquestionsasked.

Ifcustomersask“WHYisCaliforniabanningstraws?”Herearesomesuggestedresponses:

MontereyBayisaNationalMarineSanctuaryandit’suptoustoprotectthisplace.

Whensmallitemslikestrawsorbagsmaketheirwayintotheocean,plasticpollutionharmsmarineani-mals(birds,whales,dolphin,turtles)whentheymistakeitforfoodandswallowit.

4ofthetop5trashitemsfoundonourlocalbeachesarestraws,cupsandlids,andplasticutensils,sowe’vestoppedtheproblematthesource.

RecyclingisNOTtheanswer–strawsandutensilsaretoosmalltoberecycled–soweusecompostableproductsthatcanbreakdownandbeconvertedtoenergyalongwithourfoodscrapsbyourlocalwastemanagementfacilityinMarina.

OurrestaurantisproudtobealeaderinprotectingtheBay,andweappreciateyourcooperationtokeepplastictrashoutoftheocean.

NOTE:CompostableitemsgointotheGreenBintobecomposted!!

Thankyouforbeingpartofthesolutiontoplasticpollution!

MessagingtoCustomers

MessagingtocustomersaboutthenewpoliciesandpracticesundertheCAandCityordinanceswillhelpeasethetransitionforeveryone.Belowandinthistoolkit,arerecommendedwaystocommunicatepositive,consistentmessagestoyourcustomersandstaff.SignageinShop-FrontWindowsWindowsignsatbusinessesconveyvaluesandpoliciesofthebusinessandareagoodplaceto

referenceadoptedpoliciesthatcomplywithstateandcityordinances.Frontwindowdisplaysinformandsetcustomers’expectations,andcanbeself-madeorfrommembershipsinprogramssuchasSurfrider,TheLastPlasticStraw,PlasticPollutionCoalition.Visitthewebsitesforprogrammembershipinformationand

messagingandmarketingbenefits.TableTentsUsetableandcountertoptabletentssimilartowhatisusedtocommunicatewaterconservationpoliciesandthereasoningbehindthese.PleaseseeMCCVB’scollateralavailableforthis,andsimilarcustomer-messagingpurposes.InMenusMessageyourpoliciesandpracticesinyourmenustosavetablespace.Itcanbeassimpleasaddingstrawstoyourmenu“weservewaterandstrawsonlyonrequest”toanexplanationofthereason.ExcerptfromaNaparestaurantmenu:

MessagethroughButtonsWornbyStaffShowyoursupporttoreducingplasticpollutionwiththeseturtlebuttons.Thesehaveproventobeveryeffectiveinopeningtheconversationorintheirspeakingforthemselves.

Toorderturtlebuttons,visitsustainablemontereycounty.organdmakeadonationofatleast$1perbutton.Thensendemailtosustainablemonterey@gmail.comwiththenumberofbuttonsdesiredandaddressfordelivery.

Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurant Program go.surfrider.org/join-ofr

SinceyourrestaurantmustcomplywiththeCityofMonterey’sordinance,whynotbecomeanofficialSurfriderOceanFriendlyRestaurant!Andenjoythefollowingmemberbenefits:

• Access to significant vendor discounts on sustainable to-go products, including paper straws. • Ocean Friendly Restaurants marketing collateral including window stickers, brochures, table-tops. • Launch party and collaborative promotions with Surfrider Monterey County Chapter. • Restaurant on the mobile Surfrider app: go.surfrider.org/ofr-app • Restaurant listed on Surfrider national map and Chapter websites. • Tax-deductible contribution. • Use of Ocean Friendly Restaurants logos for restaurant menu, website and materials. • Association with a nationally recognized nonprofit with thousands of members and supporters

working hard to keep our ocean healthy and protected!

As a member of the Surfrider Foundation, your Ocean Friendly Restaurant demonstrates to your customers and your community your commitment to our environment and ocean.

Businesses participating must follow the first five criteria: 1. No expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is used. 2. Proper recycling practices are followed. 3. Only reusable tableware is used for onsite dining, and disposable utensils for takeout food are provided only upon request. 4. No plastic bags are offered for takeout or to-go orders. 5. Straws are provided only upon request.

And choose a minimum of two of these criteria as well: 6. No beverages are sold in plastic bottles. 7. Discount is offered for customers with reusable cup, mug, bag, etc. 8. Vegetarian/vegan food options are offered on a regular basis. 9. All seafood must be a ‘Best Choice’ or ‘Good Alternative’ as defined by Seafood Watch or certified as sustainable. 10. Water conservation efforts, such as low-flow faucets and toilets, are implemented. 11. Energy efficiency efforts such as LED lighting and Energy Star appliances are in place. Membership fee is based on a sliding scale ranging from $125 to $175 for local businesses based on the number of employees at the restaurant.

$125 $150 $175 1-20 Employees 21-40 Employees 41-60 Employees

Annual Fee Annual Fee Annual Fee

For more information please contact: Ximena Waissbluth at

chaptercoordinator@monterey.surfrider.org Visit:https://www.surfrider.org/programs/ocean-friendly-restaurants

YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY. Join the network that is greening California.

One business at a time.

Who We Are:The Monterey Bay Green Business Program is comprised of city and county agencies and non-profit partners and is part of the larger California Green Business Network (CAGBN). CAGBN leads the state and nation in working with small and medium sized businesses to create a vibrant green economy. Join the 3,400+ businesses that have already gotten certified to help create healthier and more livable communities while also conserving resources and saving money.

http://greenbusinessca.org/jointheprogram

Good for the environment. Great for business.

There has never been a better time to go green! Below are some of the biggest reasons to become a certified Green Business.

It’s good for the environment.

Save money in energy, water, garbage bills.

Improve employee wellness and productivity.

Enjoy a marketing edge over the competition.

Receive recognition as environmental leaders by your local city or

county.

Visit montereybaygreenbusiness.org for more information or to contact your local Green Business representative.

Join the Green Business Network Today.Becoming a Green Business Member is great for local business, the

environment and the community. And it’s easy to do. Go green in three simple steps.

Step 1: Register & Apply

Starting is easy. Register at http://greenbusinessca.org by completing the online application. We ask some basic questions about your business. Take your time! There’s no rush.

Step 2: Get Assistance

We’ll help you with your application measures, provide technical advice where needed, and put you in touch with potential rebates and free technical assistance.

Step 3: Create Your Profile

Congratulations! You’re now a Green Business. Use our online tool to create your company profile and let everyone know who you are. We look forward to promoting your business!

Enjoy a marketing edge over the competition.

Receive recognition as an environmental leader.

Green Businesses are promoted on our website and Facebook page, in our quarterly e-newsletters, in press releases, in online and print advertising, at promotional events and mixers, and by displaying the window decal and program seal on marketing materials. We provide a Toolkit with logos and templates to help you promote your certification.

We look forward to promoting you!

Complete our testimonial questionnaire and schedule a brief site visit with our team to capture photos and interview you. This will help us create shareable content to promote your business. Contact Emily Gomez, Ecology Action, for more details at egomez@ecoact.org.

Stay Connected

Make sure to visit our local website at http://montereybaygreenbusiness.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and check out our Vimeo video account at Monterey Bay Green Business Program. Once you are in our database you will start receiving our Quarterly newsletters. Upcoming events and opportunties to network will be highlighted on our social channels.

Customers increasingly want to patronize businesses that are doing their part for the environment. According to a recent survey of

California Green Businesses, 42% reported an increase in business since receiving recognition.

Monterey Bay Green Business ProgramCertified Business Testimonial

Full Name:Business NameContact Email & Phone:

What motivated you to join the Green Business Program?

What benefits do you anticipate or have already experienced from adopting green practices as part of the Green Business Program?

If you were talking with a business owner interested in getting certified, what would you share wiht them to motivate them to become a green business?

Are you proud to be Green Business certified? If so, what do you love most about being one of the thousands of businesses across the state that have chosen to get certified?

Have you noticed postive feedback from customers/employees since you became certified?

Any thing else you want to share?

Several ways to submit your testimonial: Scan & email this page to egomez@ecoact.org

Copy and paste questions directly to your email and send to egomez@ecoact.orgMail to Ecology Action, Attn: Emily Gomez, 877 Cedar St, Suite 240, Santa Cruz 95060