The Asbury Park Restaurants That Are Fighting Ocean Plastic Pollution

A coastal, beach-loving community, Asbury Park is fighting back against ocean pollution. Its number one target? Disposable plastics—the kind that you find in every single restaurant in town. So, in an effort to protect big blue, some of the most popular eateries have joined up with Surfrider to combat this huge problem. Read on to find out who, why and how they’re making it happen.

The why

According to the Surfrider Foundation, researchers estimate that there are now over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean with the number continuing to grow every day. From top to bottom, marine life in every part of the food chain is negatively affected by plastic fragments, even the tiniest forms of plankton. The Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants is a program that aims to eliminate one of the main sources of the problem: single-use, disposable plastics like straws, takeout containers and even styrofoam. Ocean Friendly restaurants aren’t just eco-friendly businesses, they are environmental stewards who are helping to change the industry one piece of plastic at a time.

The who

The how

In order to be recognized as an Ocean Friendly restaurant, the business must meet the following criteria from each section:

There are four criteria that a bar or restaurant must meet:

No expanded polystyrene use (aka styrofoam)

Proper recycling practices are followed

Only reusable tableware is used for onsite dining and utensils for to-go food are provided only upon request

No plastic bags offered for takeout or to-go orders.

Then, the restaurant must choose a minimum of three of these criteria:

Plastic straws are provided only upon request

No beverages sold in plastic bottles

Discount offered for customers with reusable cup, mug, bag, etc.

Vegetarian/vegan food options are offered on a regular basis. All seafood must be a ‘Best Choice’ or ‘Good Alternative’ as defined by Seafood Watch or certified as sustainable

Water conservation efforts such as low-flow faucets and toilets

Energy efficiency efforts such as LED lighting and Energy Star appliances

Once the restaurants have been certified as Ocean Friendly it is an easy way to show their support for ocean conservation and join a community of likeminded people. Ever the trailblazers, the folks of Asbury Park’s food industry have already begun to make some seriously big waves.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

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