–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–
Washington, DC - May 14, 2009.
Green Seal has released “GS-46, Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Foodservices”. The standard is a result of extensive research in all areas of a restaurant’s environmental impact, with input from over one hundred stakeholders including industry trade groups, operators, suppliers, academia and environmental and health organizations. It is based on life-cycle research, involving the comprehensive evaluation of the sources of environmental impacts including such things as food, energy and water use, and waste. The results of the research that Green Seal conducted and included in the new standard will help operators prioritize where to focus their greening efforts.  Green Seal’s standard development process is ANSI-accredited and Green Seal standards are cited widely by governments, purchasers, and other standards including LEED.

Food production contributes between 17-32% of all global human-induced greenhouse gas emissions  GS-46 focuses on responsible food purchasing and waste reduction to reduce the impact from food.

GS-46 applies to all types of food service operations - including full-service, limitedservice (e.g. fast-food, quick-casual), non-commercial, and catering operations. The standard has three levels of achievement: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Operators are encouraged to use the standard as a guide to implementing sustainable practices, and apply for certification online. All documentation required is outlined on the Green Seal website. Fee schedules, reference guides, templates, and standards are all available on, and downloadable from, the website.

For more information, call (202) 872-6400 or visit www.greenseal.org.