News Releases from Region 09

MEDIA ADVISORY: U.S. EPA and Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental to Recognize Ocean Friendly Restaurants in Tijuana

Event will feature stands displaying food samples from 12 restaurants

SAN FRANCISCO – On Wednesday, December 7, Hector F. Aguirre, Director of U.S. EPA’s San Diego Border Office, will join Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental (PFEA) and local Mexican officials to recognize the certification of twelve restaurants as “Ocean Friendly” by reducing trash flows to beaches and the ocean.

The Restaurantes Amigos del Mar program is funded by U.S. EPA and the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC) under the Border 2020 Program. The restaurants will receive a logo to certify their compliance with the certification process, created to reduce the generation of disposable single-use plastic waste in Tijuana.

WHEN:         

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

10:00 AM

WHO:            

• Héctor F. Aguirre, Director, San Diego Border Office, U.S. EPA Region 9
• Laurie Silvan, President, Proyecto Fronterizo
• Roger Kube, Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter
• Officer from Secretaria de Turismo del Gobierno del Estado
• Officer from Secretaria de Protección Ambiental
• Comité de Turismo y Convenciones del Estado
• Representatives from 12 Certified Restaurants

WHERE:       

Foro de los Arcos, sobre el Malecón de Playa de TijuanaAv. del Pacífico S/N, Sección Monumental, Playas de Tijuana
22500 Monumental, Baja California
Mexico

WHAT:         

The restaurants will be receiving a logo, a certificate, and other promotional materials that can be displayed in their restaurants. The event will feature stands displaying food samples from the restaurants. Media availability to follow.

To be certified as a ‘Restaurante Amigo del Mar,’ they must meet these three criteria:
1. Only reusable tableware is used onsite
2. Proper recycling practices are followed
3. Plastic straws provided only upon request.

And at least three of the following six criteria:
1. No polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) for takeout food and beverage containers.
2. No plastic bags are used for takeout.
3. Takeout bags and disposable utensils are provided only upon request.
4. Juices are not sold in plastic bottles.
5. Bottled water is sold only upon request.
6. An incentive program is offered for clients who provide their own reusable bags, cups, and containers.

The project aligns with the Border 2020 Program goal to promote sustainable materials management practices and EPA’s ‘Trash Free Waters’ program.

RSVP:           

Credentialed press who would like to attend this event, or for more information, please contact Soledad Calvino, Calvino.Maria@epa.gov, 415-972-3512.

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