Project Green

• Jan 9, 2008 9:38 pm US/Mountain
• Digg | Facebook | E-mail

  Close WindowE-mail This Page

  Chipotle Featured At 'Going Green' Workshop

  Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

  ---

  • Recipient E-mail:* 
  • • Your Name:* 
    • Your E-mail:* 
  • Add a Message:
  •   Send me a copy of this e-mail.

  • Type the characters in this picture:* Click here to refresh with new letters

  ---

  The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

  Send E-mail

  | Print

Chipotle Featured At 'Going Green' Workshop

 Visit The 'Green News' Section

DENVER (CBS4) ― "Going Green" is the title of a well-attended workshop to be presented Thursday by the Colorado Restaurant Association. The workshop is good for the planet, and might prove good for businesses, especially when the Democrats come to town for this summer's Democratic National Convention.

Chipotle is famous for its gourmet burritos, yet most of its loyal customers have no idea the Mexican grill is even more green than its chili. It all starts with the food. The pork comes from family farms, like much of the meat and poultry. And an increasing amount of vegetables are organic and pesticide free.

"I suppose it's a good idea," a Chipotle customer said. "I didn't realize this is a green restaurant."

Chipotle is serious about saving energy and reducing waste as well. The company's Chris Arnold said the bowls they use are made from 99 percent recycled content. That's why Chipotle has been chosen to be an example for other Denver eateries interested in going green.

"Customers are certainly looking for green options," CRA President Peter Meersman said.

Meersman said going green is no passing fad. He said it's now a mainstream trend.

When the DNC comes to Denver in August, local green restaurants will be featured in a green directory put out by the DNC.

"The DNC has a plan to show off green ideas," Meersman said.

Going green does come at a cost, and menu prices have risen a little to keep pace, but Chipotle says it hasn't hurt business.

"What we've seen is consumers are willing to pay a little bit more for food they recognize is better," Arnold said.

The attraction at Chipotle is the quality meals, but many customers relate to going green.

"I think we all need to become more concerned about our environment," another Chipotle customer said. "So the more we can do that, the better we'll all be off."

Success for Chipotle depends on serving good food, but the company says doing what's right is they way they run their business.

Thursday's "Going Green" workshop is sold out. It's attracted 150 participants from restaurants all over Denver.

(© MMVIII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)