Taco Time NW, a northwest-based family-owned Mexican quick-service restaurant was awarded the 2013 Leadership In Organics Recovery Award from the Washington Organics Recycling Council. This award goes to a company or individual who has championed an Organics Recovery program that has targeted a new part of the waste stream or has increased participation.
As part of its 50th anniversary initiatives in 2012, Taco Time NW implemented a new compostable packaging program. This program greatly reduces the need for guests to separate out compostable items and minimizes waste. Restaurant guests are able to dispose of the vast majority of their packaging in one bin, needing only to separate out a few non-compostable items. The simplified system is marked with signs and pictures for guests to easily identify which items can be composted. At 59 of its Pacific Northwest restaurants, compost is hauled to a commercial compost facility.
“We are very pleased to see Taco Time, the first QSR to host only compostable food service ware in their restaurants, leading the way to increased organics diversion,” said Michele Riggs, vice president of Washington Organic Recycling Council. “By making this decision, they have made a commitment not only to increase participation in organics recovery but will also minimize contamination to the compost and recycling stream. It is our hope that other QSR’s will follow their lead.”
“We are honored to be recognized by the Washington Organics Recycling Council and are proud to be receiving the 2013 Leadership Award,” said Robby Tonkin, president for Taco Time NW. “Recycling and composting are initiatives that we fundamentally believe in and we are proud that we can do our part to be good stewards of the environment and allow our guests to do the same when they visit our restaurants.”
The Washington Organic Recycling Council provides a unified statewide voice on many issues: research, education (through WORC sponsored Operator Training & Certification Programs), product safety and standards, government regulations, environmental planning, trade, marketing, and public education and involvement.
About Taco Time Northwest
Taco Time Northwest is a family-run business headquartered in Renton, Wash. Originally founded by Frank Tonkin Sr. in 1962, the Tonkin family has been instrumental in the management of the company since the beginning. With 74 restaurants in the Puget Sound region, Taco Time Northwest offers the ultimate quick service experience featuring tacos, burritos and specialty side items prepared fresh daily and made to order. In addition to a full menu of Mexican entrees and side dishes, Taco Time provides healthy dining options on its Fit-Hits menu, designed to help customers make great choices for good health. For more information about Taco Time Northwest, visit www.TacoTimeNW.com. Follow Taco Time Northwest on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TacoTimeNW and on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TacoTimeNW.