Our Sustainability Framework.
At The Green Cook, we provide a comprehensive sustainability certification tailored specifically for the foodservice industry. Our assessment establishes clear benchmarks for sustainable restaurant practices, acknowledges genuine efforts, and delivers practical recommendations for continuous improvement.
Rooted in Global Standards
The Green Cook Framework is built on globally recognized sustainability standards, ensuring credibility and alignment with the latest international goals.
The restaurant industry has a vital role in sustainability. The Green Cook certification evaluates five key areas, helping restaurants operate more efficiently, responsibly, and sustainably—for the planet, guests, and business.
Energy Efficiency
Running a restaurant consumes a significant amount of energy—whether it’s lighting, cooking, refrigeration, or heating and cooling. In this section, we look at how restaurants reduce energy use and optimize resources to operate more efficiently and sustainably. This not only supports the planet, but also helps cutting costs and increasing long-term performance of equipment.
Restaurants are assessed based on their setup, equipment, and practices.
Examples of our sustainable measures:
- Using LED lighting and energy-efficient kitchen appliances
- Installing motion sensors for lighting in storage and restrooms
- Optimizing refrigeration systems and temperature management
- Switching to renewable energy providers
Water Conservation
Restaurants use significant amounts of water on a daily basis—from dishwashing and cleaning to food prep and restrooms. This category focuses on how restaurants reduce their water consumption and avoid waste to operate more sustainably and responsibly. These efforts help protect vital freshwater resources while lowering operating costs.
Restaurants are assessed based on their setup, fixtures, and daily water practices.
Examples of our sustainable measures:
- Installing low-flow faucets and pre-rinse spray valves
- Regularly checking for leaks and repairing them promptly
- Restrooms are equipped with water-efficient toilets or dual-flush systems.
- Training staff on water-saving techniques
Waste Management
The generation of a wide variety of waste is one of the main problems within the restaurant industry — from food scraps and packaging to cleaning leftovers and recyclables. This category focuses on how restaurants reduce, separate, and responsibly handle waste to minimize their environmental footprint.
Restaurants are assessed based on their waste practices and reduction strategies.
Examples of our sustainable measures:
- Conducting food waste audits to identify problem areas
- Implementing portion control and flexible menu planning
- Donating surplus food to local charities
- Separating recyclables, composting food scraps, and reducing single-use plastics
Sustainable Practices
Sustainability in restaurants isn’t just about energy or waste—it’s also about making smarter choices every day. This category focuses on how restaurants consider their ingredients, suppliers, cleaning products, and logistics.
Restaurants are assessed based on their operational choices and awareness practices.
Examples of our sustainable measures:
- Sourcing ingredients locally to reduce transportation emissions
- Using seasonal produce to minimize environmental impact
- Offering plant-based menu options to lower the carbon footprint
- Educating staff and customers about sustainable dining practices
Social Responsibility
Great restaurants care not just about what’s on the plate—but also about the people behind the scenes and the communities they serve. In this section, we look at how restaurants foster fair, inclusive workplaces and contribute positively to society. From fair wages and staff development to community engagement and ethical sourcing.
Restaurants are assessed based on their social practices and long-term people impact.
Examples of our sustainable measures:
- Paying fair wages and offering ethical working conditions
- Supporting local communities through charity partnerships
- Providing training and development opportunities for staff
- Creating an inclusive and diverse workplace
How to get Certified?
Getting The Green Cook Certification is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these three easy steps to showcase your commitment to sustainability.
Register
Register your restaurant and take the first step toward certification.
Start Your Assessment
Complete your self-assessment and provide the necessary documents to demonstrate your practices.
Get Certified
After we have successfully verified your provided information, you will receive your sustainability score and printed certification.
Register now for free!
After submitting, we’ll send you an invitation to start your sustainability check.