The Green Restaurant Association's seal is found in restaurants nationwide.

By Alison Hewitt
Originally posted in UCLA Today

The Green Restaurant Association’s certifications mark a restaurant as having zero polystyrene foam, a comprehensive recycling program, and achievements in each of seven key categories.

Rendezvous especially stood out in three areas, including its sustainable vegan and vegetarian food purchases, explained Aliana Lungo-Shapiro, the sustainability manager for UCLA Housing and Hospitality Services. The eatery’s waste-reduction program, which includes composting and recycling both in the kitchen and for customers, also helped it become a Certified Green Restaurant. Finally, the rating also gave high marks to the restaurant’s energy-efficient lighting and water-saving devices.

“The certification helps Housing and Hospitality Services meet its sustainability plan goals of certifying one restaurant on the Hill, and also meeting the UC Sustainable Practices Policy through purchasing, energy reduction, waste reduction, green cleaning, and sustainable food purchases,” Lungo-Shapiro said.

“While on-campus residents and staff may be familiar with some of the sustainability measures happening at Rendezvous,” she said, “the certification formally recognizes our efforts and will help spread the word about sustainability in dining.”

UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012