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Local Focus
New Sunnyvale Green Business
Quarter Note Bar & Grill, Inc.
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Queen of Reuse Vicki Reese shows off a booth that began life in a long-ago Bob's Big Boy restaurant. |
Vicki Reese, owner of the Quarter Note Bar & Grill, emphasizes reuse along with rock n roll. When an area shopping center was torn down, Vicki saw vintage charm in rusted out stools destined for the trash heap. Her husband refinished the retro curved metal bases. Using like-new cream-colored leather reclaimed from a discarded sofa, they reupholstered the seats. They installed the stools under a long stretch of an old refinished oak rail that separates the pool players from the main room. Area bands who play at Quarter Note perform on a stage trimmed with salvaged wood that is lit by modern, energy-efficient LED lighting. She confided that one young musician who played at the Quarter Note now opens acts for the legendary B.B. King. Beverages are served in reusable glasses and food from the kitchen is served on durable dishware, not disposable plates. Vicki says that reuse is just as good for business as it is for the planet. Customers find food more appetizing on real plates. And, of course, it's much more fun sitting in booths that once belonged to a long-gone Bob's Big Boy restaurant.
The Quarter Note regulars all knew that Vicki was crazy about recycling, even teased her about her dedication to finding homes for every last cork and bottle cap. But Vicki's culture of waste-free living eventually rubbed off on them. Instead of throwing unwanted items away, customers have set up their own reuse exchanges and trade everything from appliances to baby clothes. |
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Sunnyvale City Council Approves Expanded Polystyrene Food Ware Ban
It's inexpensive and light--but it easily breaks into tinier and tinier pieces, making it too crumbly to retrieve as litter. Sunnyvale is just one of many Bay Area jurisdictions tasked by law with reducing pollutants in local waterways, of which foam food containers play an outsized role. Easily mistaken for food by many animals, it never biodegrades. So, on December 18, 2012, Sunnyvale's City Council voted unanimously to join more than 50 other California cities and approve development of an ordinance to ban the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) food ware.
The ban will go into effect six months from when the final ordinance is adopted by Council, and the sale of EPS food ware at retail stores will be banned within two years after that. Good alternatives to foam food ware are now readily available, and many restaurants and food vendors have already made the switch. The Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce is currently hosting a display of alternative container options, and more information about EPS and the future ban can be found at nofoam.insunnyvale.com. An August vendor showcase for alternative products will be held in Sunnyvale. |
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Plastic Carryout Bag Ban Phase 2 Now In Effect
Phase 2 of Sunnyvale's single-use plastic bag ban ordinance took effect March 20, 2013. This ordinance prohibits the use of plastic carryout bags and requires paper bags distributed to be a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content, accompanied by a ten cent charge that is kept by the store. Bags recommended for use include durable reusable bags. Stores (restaurants are excluded) must report paper bag sales on a quarterly basis. Reporting includes the total number of paper carryout bags sold, total amount of monies collected and summary of efforts stores have undertaken to promote reusable bags to customers. Online Quarterly Bag Reporting is now available but you can also print, fill out and mail or hand deliver a Quarterly Bag Reporting Form. If you can't print the form, please contact the Recycling Program at (408) 730-7262 to have one mailed to you. The next report is due July 31. |
