Restaurant Green Zone

 

Restaurant patrons across The Okanagan will soon have a new display sticker to watch out for on restaurant doors and cash registers. Port Coquitlam, B.C. based, ERM BioSource has launched the “Restaurant Green Zone” recognition program for participating restaurants which debuted last month at the BC Food Service Show.  The Restaurant Green Zone notifies patrons  which restaurants are recycling their used cooking/frying oils for conversion into biofuels (like biodiesel) in British Columbia. 

“We are the only program that pays ALL restaurants for their contribution” says Mike Perrier President and CEO of ERM BioSource. The Restaurant Green Zone pays $0.05 per litre for qualifying used frying oil. However, the restaurant has the option of donating their payment to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia.

The program is supported by the British Columbia Restaurant and Food Service Association (BCRFA).  “The program is a success on two fronts because it ensures that the cooking oils used are good for the heart and the planet” says Sharron Tulk Director of Marketing for BCRFA.  The Restaurant Green Zone only accepts  non-hydrogenated oils from participating restaurants. Therefore, clients will have peace of mind seeing The Restaurant Green Zone Sticker.

For those restaurants that do not qualify for the program due to poor oil, ERM BioSource has partnered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to launch the CONVERT Campaign. ERM BioSource has secured special pricing incentives from major food distributors, like Neptune Foods, to help patrons switch to non hydrogenated oils. Some municipalities are getting on board with recognition programs for restaurants that convert.