By implementing a variety of new environmentally sustainable practices, including a new recycling program, Microsoft’s Redmond campus has become the first United States corporate campus whose foodservice has achieved Certified Green Restaurant™ status by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA). Microsoft has cafeterias that serve over 27,000 employees at our Redmond, Washington location and has set a goal of featuring Zero Waste restaurants, making it one of the largest facilities in the country to establish a goal of this nature.

The Green Restaurant Association worked with Microsoft to assess our existing sustainable practices and then created an individually-tailored plan to become a Certified Green Restaurant™.  To achieve certification, we launched several new environmental practices in accordance with the Green Restaurant Association’s rigorous guidelines, including:  removing all Styrofoam from campus, continuing and expanding our full scale recycling program, adding a composting program.

In addition, Microsoft will maintain the marks provided by the Green Restaurant Association by implementing four new environmental steps per year for the next five years. Microsoft and the GRA have identified the following improvements for 2009.

• Sustainable Food: Increase organic and sustainable seafood offerings, to reach a goal of 30% of the menu.
• Water Conservation: Install low flow aerators for hand washing and kitchen sinks, and install low flow pre-rinse spray valves on all kitchen sinks.
• Waste Reduction: System of warewashing chemicals that results in less packaging and chemical waste.

Find out more at http://www.dinegreen.com/ and of course http://www.microsoft.com/environment