Virginia Green Restaurants

New! The Virginia Green Restaurant Application is now online! To become a Virginia Green Restaurant , click here.

Restaurants are an integral part of Virginia’s tourism industry, and they are certainly the most numerous sector of Virginia tourism! As such, Virginia Green Restaurants have the opportunity to have a significant impact on people’s daily lives and how they think about the environment.

What does it take to be a Virginia Green Restaurant? At a minimum, facilities must commit to:

• Minimize the use of disposable food service products: Restaurants are required to minimize the use of disposable food service products and maximize the use of food service products that are recyclable or compostable in the service area. When disposable food service items are used, Restaurants are encouraged to use products that are made from bio-based or renewable resources, and to provide for the collection/ recycling/ composting of food service items disposed of on the premises.
• Recycle Grease: Most restaurants are required by local ordinance to collect and recycle their grease. Grease filtering companies can also greatly reduce grease wastes (and costs).
• Recycle and Reduce Waste: Glass bottles must be recycled for Virginia Green Restaurants. Recycling of steel cans, aluminum cans, cardboard, plastic, paper, and composting of waste foods are highly encouraged.
• Use Water Efficiently: The facility must have a plan for conserving water that should consider water-saving dishwashers, faucets, and toilets; leak detection, and an effective landscape watering plan. 
• Conserve Energy: The facility must have a plan in place to reduce overall energy consumption. The “plan” should consider replacing lighting and equipment with energy-efficient alternatives such as compact-fluorescent lighting, LED Exit signs, lighting sensors, efficient heating and cooling, and ENERGY STAR kitchen appliances and computers.

Participating restaurants:

For a list of participating restaurants visit the Virginia Tourism Corporation's (VTC) Virginia Green Restaurant listing.  This new listing will allow you to view Virginia Green Restaurant's in your area by allowing restaurants to be viewed by region, locality, or city.  It also gives you more information about the restaurant and still allows you to check out their Virginia Green Profile. 

Also check out VTC's Virginia Green Travel page for more Virginia Green options.

Participating college and university dining halls

• Emory & Henry College Dining Services, Emory
• George Mason University - Pilot House, Fairfax
• George Mason University - Southside, Fairfax
• Hollins University - Moody Dining Hall, Roanoke 
• James Madison University - East Campus Dining Hall, Harrisonburg
• James Madison University - The Festival Conference and Student Center, Harrisonburg
• James Madison University - Phillips Hall, Harrisonburg
• Jonah's, a culinary emporium, VCU, Richmond
• Market 810, Shafer Court Dining Center, VCU, Richmond
• Mary Baldwin College Dining Services, Staunton
• Marymount University Dining Services, Arlington
• Radford University Dining Services, Radford 
• Randolph-Macon College - Estes Dining Hall, Ashland
• Randolph-Macon College - Macon Coffee, Ashland
• Shenandoah University Dining Services, Winchester 
• University of Mary Washington Dining Services, Fredericksburg 
• University of Richmond Dining Services, Richmond
• University of Virginia Dining, Charlottesville
• Virginia Wesleyan College Dining Service, Norfolk  
• Washington & Lee Dining Services, Lexington  

To become a Virginia Green Restaurant, you must apply online through the Virginia.org Administration Tool. (Please note: at this time, only restaurants and lodging facilities can apply online)

You may wish to preview the Virginia Green Restaurants Application or print it for your own use. We no longer accept Virginia Green Restaurant Applications by fax, mail, or email, but we recommend using this preview to gather information on your green practices before applying online. 
Application Preview (pdf) or Application Preview (MS Word)

If your restaurant is NOT already listed on Virginia.org

1)       Register for an account with Virginia.org here: http://admin.virginia.org  
After filling in the form you will receive an email confirmation from a VTC Electronic Marketing staff member to let you know when your account is activated. This may take up to 1-2 days

2)       Once your account has been activated, log in here: http://admin.virginia.org and add your restaurant under the Dining Category.

3)       After filling in the details of your restaurant, go back to the Listings Page, look for the Virginia Green logo and click "Apply" to being the application process for Virginia Green.   Avoid using multiple tabs when completing the application. 

4)       Check off your green activities on the checklist; these items will also be used to create your Virginia Green profile.

5)       You will be notified by email when your Virginia Green application has been accepted. This may take 1-2 days after your Virginia Green Application has been submitted.

If your restaurant is already listed on Virginia.org

1)       Log in to the Virginia.org Administration Tool here: http://admin.virginia.org  

2)       From the Listings Page, see the Virginia Green logo and click "Apply" to being the application process.   Avoid using multiple tabs when completing the application. 

3)       Check off your green activities on the checklist; these items will also be used to create your Virginia Green profile.

4)       You will be notified by email when your Virginia Green application has been accepted. This may take 1-2 days after your Virginia Green Application has been submitted. 

 Virginia Green is a partnership program supported by