Tea Rooms: Go Green!
On this blog you will be able to learn how to Go Green in your Tea Room – and how you can turn your “going green” into “gold” = better business for you.
‘Go Green’ seems to be the new buzz word for 2009. Look around in stores, on TV, in magazines, and you will see the recycle sign or ‘Go Green’ logos everywhere. Business owners have realized that it is not any longer an option to ‘go green’ but a must, if you want to keep up with competition. But green comes in many shades - you still have a chance to be on the forefront and turn your tea room into a true Green Tea Room.
The ‘Go Green’ project is divided into four areas: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle – Rebuy. When you manage all areas at a certain level, you will be able to obtain the “Go Green GOLD Certificate,” but more about that later.
Let’s get started – one step at a time:
REDUCE: Think about all you use in your business, paper, water, electricity, food items. The Japanese are known for their ‘less is more” philosophy. Where can you use less, and still make it ‘more’? Sometimes less on a plate looks more tempting if served on a really nice dish. If people don’t eat the decorating grapes on the dish, why put them there in the first place? Make an effort to reduce a little bit every day. Turn off the lights, keep that door closed, don’t let the water run …
REUSE: Do you throw out all shipping materials? Maybe some could be used to wrap items from your gift store? It does not appear ‘cheap’ if you turn it around and make it ‘a green effort’. (See an example of my card below).
RECYCLE: Make January the month where you think about all you throw out. Could it be recycled – or reused by others (thrift stores)? Bottles and cans are a given and mandatory recyclables in most areas, but regulations for cardboard boxes, cereal boxes and other paper items may have changed this year. Check the local regulations and follow through. You will see a lot less waste in your garbage!
REBUY: This means that you think ‘green’ when you buy anything! Are the bath tissues and kitchen towels made from recycled paper? Do you serve organic teas and food? Do you clean with chemical- and toxic-free products? This is an area that you can use as a competitive edge. Imagine a sign on your door: “Welcome to our Green Tearoom. This is a toxic free zone!” We will talk a lot more about this later. Use up what you have, but STOP buying any new cleaning products that contain toxins or chemicals.
‘Go Green’ seems to be the new buzz word for 2009. Look around in stores, on TV, in magazines, and you will see the recycle sign or ‘Go Green’ logos everywhere. Business owners have realized that it is not any longer an option to ‘go green’ but a must, if you want to keep up with competition. But green comes in many shades - you still have a chance to be on the forefront and turn your tea room into a true Green Tea Room.
The ‘Go Green’ project is divided into four areas: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle – Rebuy. When you manage all areas at a certain level, you will be able to obtain the “Go Green GOLD Certificate,” but more about that later.
Let’s get started – one step at a time:
REDUCE: Think about all you use in your business, paper, water, electricity, food items. The Japanese are known for their ‘less is more” philosophy. Where can you use less, and still make it ‘more’? Sometimes less on a plate looks more tempting if served on a really nice dish. If people don’t eat the decorating grapes on the dish, why put them there in the first place? Make an effort to reduce a little bit every day. Turn off the lights, keep that door closed, don’t let the water run …
REUSE: Do you throw out all shipping materials? Maybe some could be used to wrap items from your gift store? It does not appear ‘cheap’ if you turn it around and make it ‘a green effort’. (See an example of my card below).
RECYCLE: Make January the month where you think about all you throw out. Could it be recycled – or reused by others (thrift stores)? Bottles and cans are a given and mandatory recyclables in most areas, but regulations for cardboard boxes, cereal boxes and other paper items may have changed this year. Check the local regulations and follow through. You will see a lot less waste in your garbage!
REBUY: This means that you think ‘green’ when you buy anything! Are the bath tissues and kitchen towels made from recycled paper? Do you serve organic teas and food? Do you clean with chemical- and toxic-free products? This is an area that you can use as a competitive edge. Imagine a sign on your door: “Welcome to our Green Tearoom. This is a toxic free zone!” We will talk a lot more about this later. Use up what you have, but STOP buying any new cleaning products that contain toxins or chemicals.
Please add your ideas, concerns, and accomplishments in the comments section below.
Think Green!
Kirsten
posted by Tea 4 U @ 6:53 AM
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