A growing number of communities in the U.S. are requiring restaurants to post caloric counts and other nutritional information on their menu boards. Will U.S. consumers soon see eco-friendly measurements next to their combo meals?

A recent QSR Magazine article (see link at the end) discusses a trend emerging in other parts of the world:  the inclusion of carbon footprint data at the point of purchase.  (Carbon footprint is generally defined as the impact an activity has on the environment, especially climate change.)    It seems that consumers from Australia to Sweden want to literally “go green,” as they eat vegetarian meals that take less energy to produce, vs. food items that require more energy, such as hamburgers.   The carbon footprint calculations also include restaurant operation resources, such as electricity and packaging.

Although, there are some American chains that have begun to promote their sustainability initiatives on their websites, very few feature specifics like carbon footprint statistics, on their menus.

The article concludes that U.S. consumers in certain areas, like California or Oregon,  and of particular brands, like Starbucks might want carbon footprint facts to make food choices.  However, most of the country, at least for now, is more concerned with price, customer service, and food quality.

Could This Be The New Menu Label?

Many of us who grew up watching Sesame Street remember Kermit the Frog lamenting this fact in song. Foodservice companies and other businesses today may be singing a similar tune, with the increasing pressure from governments, consumers, and other forces to become “eco-friendly.” However, there are also laws that govern environmental marketing claims, and they are administered by the Federal Trade Commission.

The Southland Better Business Bureau, based in Southern California, recently published some tips that can help companies market their green initiatives truthfully and lawfully.

Here are a few of them:

• Don’t make claims you can’t support with scientific research, certification, or some other form of verification.

• Be sure to investigate thoroughly any third-party organization that offers you a “seal of approval.”

• Consider getting help from a marketing or PR agency that specializes in environmental advertising.

• Look at ways to promote “the green” not only in your products and services, but also in your operations.

The full Southland BBB article can be found here: http://www.la.bbb.org/GIReport.aspx?NewsID=315.

Promoting your business as environmentally-friendly can offer a competitive edge. Doing so in an honest way helps keep you on the right side of the court of law AND public opinion.

While there are some landfills that can capture methane gas generated by waste and convert it into energy, the percentage of energy conversion is relatively low.

This recent greenhouse gas study supports the idea that we should reuse and minimize the waste we send to landfills.

To read the complete article on greenbiz.com, click the following link http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2011/03/29/surprise-biodegradable-packaging-still-bad-planet.