7 examples of vegan companies that are zero waste.
Sometimes even vegan companies that are trying to do good, miss the mark and contribute to more stress on the planet.
Here are some examples of zero waste vegan companies that are showing us how it’s done!
Juice Generation
Juice generation is a zero-waste vegan company that has been killing it since 1999 and has about nineteen locations around New York City.
They source their fruits and vegetables from local farms and orchards which is a great way to keep your business's carbon footprint low. How so you may ask? Less fuel and energy are being used from shipping things in from afar.
They also give back to the community by supporting urban farming projects. There is a project called Harlem grown which teaches kids how to live healthier and grow their own food.
Juice generation employees volunteer their time at Harlem Grown and they also give the food waste from their company to use as compost at the garden!
Juice generation’s food waste is now being contributed to help build soil so plants can grow, creating more healthy food for people who would otherwise not have access.
It’s also better for the environment because most food waste ends up in landfills, and so when it rots it produces methane a greenhouse gas, which increases global warming.
When food decomposes from a landfill, it does so underground. There is no oxygen present when it decomposes so it is called anaerobic decomposition, which is the worst type of composting that contributes directly to climate change.
If you have a vegan food company consider composting your food waste, or bring your waste somewhere that has a compost system. Juice Generation is doing a great job of being a sustainable vegan company!
Any vegan business idea that is good for the planet is a good venture to start!
Juice Press
Coming at ya from New York they are a great example of a zero-waste company really making it a priority to keep their business sustainable for the planet.
They buy leafy greens from greenhouses that are close to their business.
The greenhouses that they buy from are powered by the sun and use recycled water. They also use 100 percent compostable cups, bowls, and straws made from sugarcane. Way to go Juice press!
Frea Vegan Restaurant
This zero-waste vegan restaurant is incredible, not only do they compost their food waste they use mostly organic ingredients.
They even make everything themselves, from sourdough bread to kombucha, dark chocolate, and plant-based milk! Man, what a dream place to work.
They compost all their waste, so you won’t find any garbage cans hanging around the property.
The waste that is composted is sent back to the farms where it came from, so they are giving dirt back to the farmers! The fresh food that they receive from the farmers comes without any plastic packaging.
They are really setting an amazing example by buying local, composting, and not using plastic!!
If more restaurants did this we would be saving so much valuable energy and protecting our resources that in turn protect us.
The interior design of the restaurant was also carefully thought out to avoid unnecessary buying. Reclaimed wood was used for the interior and they offer clothing products that are ethically sourced for the staff like their uniforms etc.
Big up Frea Restaurant!
Moku Roots zero-waste cafe
Moku Roots is a vegan restaurant located on the beautiful island of Maui Hawaii. They run the business in a way that minimizes their global footprint producing less waste they don’t use single-use plastic containers.
They aren’t able to use compostable containers, because they only break down in certain types of facilities and Maui doesn’t have access to those facilities.
Instead, they have gotten creative and use sacred ti leaves to wrap their sandwiches in, and they look beautiful wrapped that way.
Moku Roots also compost all of their food waste and bring it back to their farm to use for soil to plant more vegetables. Moku Roots are setting a great example to follow!
Banan
Banan turns locally grown bananas and other local fruit into vegan ice-cream.
They source the bananas, turmeric, and other ingredients from local farms like yogarden and compost all of their waste.
This is one of my favorite places to eat on the island, the staff is always super nice and prompt, and it tastes amazing!
Help keep Banan in business, by purchasing gift cards and ordering for home delivery or curbside pickup.
Mandala Chocolate
Comin at ya from the blue ridge mountains y’all. North Carolina-based chocolate company, founder, CEO Rob Lenfestey has a background in permaculture and has a passion for growing cacao in a sustainable and harmonious way that benefits all ecosystems.
He is a protector of indigenous lands and some of the proceeds from the chocolate company support those efforts.
He is a true example of using his skills to be a force for good in the world which in turn creates ripple effects to promote the healing of the earth and its’ inhabitants.
You can support Mandala Chocolate during these difficult times by making a purchase.
Nada Zero Waste Grocery Store
Zero waste grocery store company located in B.C Canada founded by Alison Carr and Brianne Miller.
Grocery stores are responsible for producing heaps of waste. So many grocery store products are wrapped in plastic wrap or use plastic containers that wind up in the landfill.
Alison and Brianne were on a mission to take action and create a grocery store that wasn’t bad for the environment. Nada was born!
The food sourced for their grocery store is local, organic, and has transparent supply chains that support the local food systems. They also have a local cafe inside the store that is zero waste.
All of the waste products produced from the cafe are composted and go to local organic farms.
Nada is a great example of how to lead a movement of zero-waste grocery stores. I hope to see more of these popping up all over the place instead of big grocery store chains.
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