What are some ways Chaco Canyon has been able to reduce waste?

Careth: Two of the main things that has allowed us to divert more waste from the landfill is by being thorough about training staff and having a different system of trash for customers. Instead of having large trash bins that create an opportunity for customers to make mistakes with how they’re sorting recycling and trash, we have shallow bins with no liners that the waiter staff sorts more thoroughly. That was something very unique that I haven’t seen any other place doing which is how we make sure that the trash is actually going where it should and the recycling can get properly recycled.

We’ve had quite a few creative ways to divert waste from the landfill. For a while, Chaco Canyon sold their food waste that was still able to be used to local farmers to feed their pigs. At another point, we were giving our oil waste to someone who had a bio-diesel converted car.

We get most of our plates, bowls, cups, and mugs from Goodwill instead of buying new. We also do that with furniture as much as possible. I just recently I went to Goodwill and got some chairs that we needed.

We’ve also chosen not give out any disposable utensils, even if they’re compostable. We find that the cost was high and if they’re not composted correctly, they could still end up in water sources. Compostable utensils don’t break down in nature, especially not in salt water. Our policy is to let people borrow our silverware and then return it if they can. We’ve just made that commitment to reduce the single-use waste. We also continue to try to find ways to encourage staff and customers to avoid single-use items and use durables. We love when customers eat in-house when they can.