This morning we met up with our friend's Chris & Susan at a local coffee shop The Java Shack. Jill first learned about this coffee shop through a local listing of "green businesses" and wanted to see what it was all about. We often dream of the coffee shop that we wish to own someday and definitely wanted to check this out for inspiration. The Java Shack runs off of 100% wind power, which we have our gripes about b/c that just means they buy the wind energy they do not have wind generators on their building. This of course is noted for our own coffee shop.
The other many wonderful things that the Java Shack implemented in order to be considered a "green business" is as follows:
- only use 100% Biodegradable/Compostable hot & cold cups
- only use Locally Roasted, 100% organic, Fair Trade/Rain Forest Alliance coffee
- only use organic soy milk
- use organic syrups,
- only provide reusable water glasses
- only use 100% Recycled napkins, 80% post-consumer materials
- only use CFL light bulbs inside & outside
- strongly encourage travel mugs for takeout orders
- strongly encourage ceramic cups for drinking there
- do not print receipts, unless requested
- implemented a comprehensive recycling program, reducing trash by 80%
- save all coffee/espresso grounds for high energy fire log production
- only use 100% recycled, unbleached hand towels
- use an Energy Star High-efficiency ice machine
- switched to a 1/2 gpm flow HAND SINK vs. the typical 2 - 2.5 gpm flow.
So as you can see it comes with all the bells and whistles in terms of Green-ness. Surprisingly the place didn't come off as a "top of the charts" place and was rather cramped and looked a bit worn down. However it just added to the character and made us note that we want a big spacious coffee shop, which by the way is hard to come by in Clarendon so we understood why it was small. So, we just took it for what it was and enjoyed some tasty coffee among good company.
No comments:
Post a Comment