Green Initiatives
“2011 Green Restaurant Award Winner!”
— Vermont Business Environmental Partnership
Montpelier’s First Certified Green Restaurant
The Wayside has been going green for a long time, which has been a source of great pride for the entire staff. In 2011 the Wayside was recognized by the state of Vermont as Montpelier’s first Green Restaurant and the fifth in the State.
The following article was printed in the Montpelier Bridge on October 2012:
As only one of a handful of Vermont Certified Green Restaurants in the state, the Wayside has implemented many earth-friendly initiatives. Their goal is to stay focused on waste reduction, water and energy conservation, pollution prevention, transportation efficiencies, and to promote sustainability.
High on the roof top you will see six evacuated solar tube panels installed on the back roof of the Wayside. This solar array is dedicated to preheating the water for the dish machine, yielding shiny clean dishes with the help of sunshine!
To further minimize their carbon footprint and maximize transportation efficiencies, the Wayside continues to work closely with local farmers, foragers, seasonal gardeners, fishermen, businessmen and women on a daily basis. Thanks to these members of their “extended family,” each season Wayside customers enjoy local dairy products, eggs, meat, potatoes, homemade pasta specialties, parsnips, fiddleheads, rhubarb, corn on the cob, winter squash, freshwater perch and more!
The Wayside was buying local long before it became a trendy marketing slogan. It’s been the key ingredient to their popularity with Vermonters and tourists over the years. The entire staff at the Wayside is thankful for the privilege of cooking and serving their guests locally sourced food items whenever possible.
GREEN INITIATIVES
MISSION STATEMENT
The Wayside Restaurant strives to be the Restaurant Industry leader in the areas of Waste Reduction, Energy & Water Conservation, Pollution Prevention, and Transportation Efficiencies for others to follow, including our customers.
WASTE REDUCTION
- Fryer oil recovery system to supply the biodiesel fuel industry
- Air compressor installed on soda fountain system to reduce CO2 usage by 1/3 to 1/2
- Recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal
- Recycle daily menus for note paper
- Coreless toilet paper rolls
- Eliminated plastic straws
- Discontinued plastic bottled water
WATER CONSERVATION
- Water efficient dishmachine
- Water efficient toilets
- Water efficient faucet nozzles
- Water efficient cooking steamer
Our Community Solar Array in Perkinsville, Vermont
ENERGY CONSERVATION— SMALL BUSINESS SOLAR ALLIANCE
Working with Norwich Solar, the Wayside is partnered with 5 other businesses and towns in a 500kW Community Solar array located next to the Weathersfield Town Garage in Perkinsville, Vermont. The bifacial solar panels are state-of-the-art. In addition to collecting sunlight on the front of the panel, the backside collects light as well. These panels will work double-duty during the winter collecting reflected light off the snow-covered ground.
Solar is a readily available source of clean renewable electricity. The solar field is established to produce – 1,000,000Wh annually, which is enough to power 138 homes for a full year. In terms of carbon emission reduction, the array reduces 781 tons of carbon dioxide annually; roughly the equivalent of the carbon captured by 839 acres of forest for a full year.
ENERGY CONSERVATION AT THE RESTAURANT
- Hot water solar array supplement
- Fresh outdoor air (winter) refrigeration system
- Attic insulation upgrades for better heating and cooling
- Eliminated 2 electric appliances
- Perimeter baseboard heating
- Energy Saver copier
- Computer monitors off at night
- Fan to stabilize air in foyer
- High efficiency evaporator motors
- Energy Star refrigeration
- Motion sensor lighting in basement
- 4 Xlerator hand dryers
- 1 lower rpm hood fan
- Fresh air cooling in the kitchen and dining room
- LED lighting, including outdoor Christmas lights
TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCIES
- Local food and beverage sourcing
- Local beer and wine sourcing
- Local top-shelf spirit sourcing
- Consolidated deliveries
- Commuter bus stop
SUSTAINABLE PROMOTION
- Featured website page
- Informational displays in entrance foyer
- A “Meatless Monday” lunch and dinner special
- Educational table tents
- An annual Employee Appreciation event
TAKEOUT PACKAGING
Our popular takeout menu features environmentally-friendly packaging to include:
- Agave Plant-Based Straws
- 100% Recycled Paper Bags with Handles
- Dinner & Sandwich Containers Made from Plants
- Cold Drink Cups
- 100% Recycled Paper Fiber Drink Carriers
- Paper Hot Cups Made with 90% Renewable Resources
- Certified Compostable Knives, Forks & Spoons
POLLUTION PREVENTION
- Food composting
- Conversion of oil-fired furnace to propane
- Green cleaning products
- Sustainable hand soap
- Poly whey natural wood coating on dining room booths
- Reduced our carbon dioxide consumption by 1/3rd with our innovative fountain beverage system
