EAT Restaurant Initiative

EAT aims to raise awareness around disposable waste in restaurants, bars, and breweries that impact our health and the health of the planet.

The EAT initiative promotes sustainable practices including the following:

Favoring the use of reusable containers over disposable.

Reducing landfill waste through composting, recycling, and food rescue organizations.

Avoiding disposable containers that leach toxins into our food and ultimately contaminate our soil and water.

What are the benefits of joining?

The Alabama Environmental Council promotes its partners with a professional social media campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and our website.

We provide our partner restaurants with a seal that identifies them as a sustainable choice for consumers. The seal can be used on food delivery apps, websites, social media, and wherever else you advertise so consumers know you are a restaurant that cares about their health and the health of the planet.

Requirements to Join

No polystyrene foam (styrofoam) food service containers or any plastic containers
No single use plastic bags for takeout
Biodegradable utensils for take out service, other accessories (straws, stirrers, etc) and condiments provided only upon request
Only reusable foodware used for onsite dining
Food service containers must contain low to no PFAS (Unless lined with PLA or a clay coating)

Choose one (or both):

Use composting to reduce landfill waste
Donate leftovers to food pantry > Contact FEEDBHM or Magic City Harvest

Choose two or more:

Buy local, preferably organic produce and humanely raised animals when possible (at least 5% of COGS is from local suppliers)
Offer plant based proteins
No beverages sold in plastic bottles
Advertise that you will refill water bottles for free
Accept personal containers for take-out
Install a rainwater catchment system
Have an osmosis filter on water
Recycle glass