At least 15 restaurant enterprises in Merida have already registered to obtain this certification….
MERIDA — So far, the Sustainable Development Unit of the City of Mérida has received the request of 15 enterprises representing restaurants interested in obtaining the Environmentally Responsible Certification.
To give opportunity to other businesses of this kind, many of which have advanced their process by the fulfillment of the new environmental norms or by the modernization of the establishment, the City will extend the closing date of registrations until November 15th.
The director of the Sustainable Development Unit, Sayda Rodríguez Gómez, recalled that the objective of this “green certification” is to recognize the good practices of restaurants operating in Merida, to certify the responsible vision of their owners, to promote food quality and respect for the environment, reduce the carbon footprint in restaurants and mitigate the effects of climate change.
(Photo: Emanuel Rincón Becerra, Diario de Yucatán)
The certification process includes several steps, including registration to the municipal program, submitting to a self-assessment with evidence and documents, a review of the file and an environmental audit by a committee of specialists.
The verification includes good practices in waste and responsible consumption of energy, water care, forest culture, inclusion and social responsibility actions.
The certification is valid for one year, and there will be three categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Those restaurants that have gardens, bicycle parking, encourage the use of bicycles among their employees, use renewable energy and have exclusive spaces for pets, will have special recognition.
Restaurants at Santa Lucía Park (Photo: Google)
According to the vision of Food and Travel Magazine of Mexico, an organization that has distinguished Merida in the gastronomy field, three out of 10 people aged between 18 and 35 are considered “green consumers”; that means that they prefer attend to restaurants that respect the environment, that promote the local economy and do not damage the environment of the place.
The organizations that support green certification are the Coordination of the World Organization Local Governments for Sustainability, the Canaco, Canirac and Hotel Association.
Source: www.yucatan.com.mx
