Boloco Earns Another 'Green' Star

First restaurant chain to earn GRA 2 star certification.

2011-08-01

BOSTON, MA, August 01, 2011 (Press-News.org) Back in March 2008 boloco, a chain of inspired burrito restaurants, became the first fast-casual chain in New England to become a Certified Green Restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA). But when boloco found out an even higher level of certification could be achieved - well, let's just say they reached for the stars. Boloco is now the first chain* of restaurants to become a 2 Star Certified Green Restaurant across all of their 17 locations.

For each of boloco's 17 locations to earn the GRA's rigorous two-star certification, they had to be inspected and graded on a points system for the following:
- Water efficiency
- Waste reduction and recycling
- Sustainable food
- Energy
- Disposables
- Chemical and pollution reduction

To earn points in these categories, boloco made changes such as switching each location's spray valves to high efficiency and low flow, ensuring 50 percent of chemicals were either GreenSeal certified or endorsed by the GRA, and integrating composting for kitchen waste.

In addition to meeting a minimum requirement of earned points in each category and accumulating no less than 100 points total, the GRA also verified that boloco had a full-scale recycling program, operated completely Styrofoam-free, and provided annual education on environmental responsibility for their employees.

During the initial certification phase four years ago, Boloco took several important steps in an effort to achieve a "green"-worthy status, reduce its environmental footprint and increase sustainable practices. These included the implementation of a recycling program, the introduction of naturally raised meats and organic t-shirts for employees, and the replacement of Styrofoam cups with compostable ones.

Even after making this progress, boloco's CEO John Pepper considers the company's work far from done. "The best part about the GRA's certification program is that it encourages continual change," Pepper explained. "Next year our restaurants will be inspected again and graded for improvement. At boloco we feel there is room for improvement in everything we do, so this is perfect for us." To learn more about boloco's improvements (and those to come), visit http://www.boloco.com or just head to the nearest boloco location and start asking questions (or filling that recyclable burrito bowl).

Boloco
Boloco is a Boston-based group of 17 restaurants located throughout New England that serve traditional and inspired burritos, bowls, salads, smoothies, and shakes using a blend of bold, inspiring and often unexpected ingredients. Every order is made to the specific wishes of each guest. Boloco was the first chain of restaurants to be named 2 Star Certified Green Restaurants by the Green Restaurant Association - most popular of its latest initiatives in sustainability are naturally-raised meats, potato starch utensils, and recyclable bowls. To join the conversation, visit twitter.com/boloco, facebook.com/boloco or visit www.boloco.com.

* According to Technomic, the leading fact-based consulting and research firm serving the food industry, a restaurant chain is defined as more than ten foodservice establishments.

Green Restaurant Association
The Green Restaurant Association (GRA) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1990 to help the restaurant industry achieve ecological sustainability. The GRA is endorsed by America's major environmental organizations and works with restaurants across the continent. Through its eleven environmental guidelines, the GRA provides environmental consulting, education, and certification to make it easy for individual operators, restaurant groups, and chains to improve their environmental practices in a profitable manner.

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