CONSCIOUS EATERY PROJECT
Restaurant Packaging Survey

The Eatery Packaging Survey is the first phase of the Conscious Eatery Project, whereby we will highlight eateries that are interested in reducing waste and care about the health of the earth and the humans and animals that call it home. If you'd like to get involved - great! If you love to explore local restaurants - even better! We welcome your participation.

WHY do we feel this is important?
Disposable plastic packaging and accessories are rampant in the food and beverage business. Single-use plastics not only litter our streets, parks, waterways and oceans, they leach toxins and greenhouse gases, such as methane, into the environment. Polystyrene, more familiarly known as Styrofoam, and other non-recyclable take-out containers and utensils contain substances that are harmful to humans. Furthermore, production of these petrochemical products is an extremely polluting process that negatively impacts human health and contributes to the climate crisis.
 

This survey is to assess the usage of these hazardous materials in our local businesses and determine next steps to help eatery owners/managers gain greater understanding of the problem and learn about alternatives to these hazardous materials. Together we can reduce our use of single use plastics and substitute with safer RECYCLABLE, COMPOSTABLE, and REUSABLE options.
 

HOW you can help:
Eat at or order take out from a local Grass Valley, Nevada City, or Penn Valley restaurant of your choosing. Observe what kinds of packaging they use for food and beverages and record it on our online survey at the link below. If you are inclined to speak with an owner or manager to find out more about their packaging choices and challenges, and you can do so without disrupting the flow of business, please speak with them and record your learnings.