Microsoft’s corporate dining facility earns Green Restaurant status

Published: 15-Mar-2010

Microsoft's main campus in Redmond, Washington, is the first and only corporate dining program to earn the Green Restaurant Association's (GRA) 2 Star Certified Green Restaurant seal.

Since July 2008, Microsoft has worked with the GRA, a national non-profit organization, to reduce the environmental impact of their eateries and earn the Certified Green Restaurant distinction. Today, a total of 33 Microsoft cafes have reached the GRA's 2 Star Certified Green Restaurant level.

Microsoft’s cafes are reducing water and energy, recycling, purchasing organic and sustainable foods, and more. Each Microsoft cafe has earned over 145 points within the GRA's certification program for their environmental accomplishments. The green measures include purchasing compostable alternatives for 100% of their service ware, eliminating the use of polystyrene products (Styrofoam), installing low-flow faucet aerators and spray valves to conserve water, using non-toxic cleaning chemicals, full-scale recycling and composting, including recycling waste grease to be made into biodiesel, energy efficient hand dryers in the cafe bathrooms, installing energy efficient kitchen equipment, and offering bulk condiments, rather than individually packaged options.

In accordance with the GRA's Certification guidelines, the 2 Star Certified Green Restaurant level requires a restaurant to earn a minimum total of 100 points, with at least 10 points each in six of the seven environmental categories, which are water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable furnishing and building materials, sustainable food, energy, disposables, and chemical and pollution reduction.

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