Taco Time NW Partners with Cedar Grove to Launch New Composting Program

, a northwest-based family-owned Mexican quick-service restaurant celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2012, is going “greener” at many of its locations with the launch of a new composting program. The program features all new compostable packaging, which will be transported by local composting company Cedar Grove.

At more than half of its Pacific Northwest restaurants, where hauling compost to a commercial compost facility is possible, Taco Time NW has developed a program that allows all compostable items to be disposed in one bin. New packaging designed specifically for Taco Time NW eliminates the need for guests to separate out compostable items and minimizes waste.

Compostables will be transported by Cedar Grove, a family-owned company serving the Pacific Northwest since 1938, to its 26-acre facility in Maple Valley, Wash. In addition, from now until September 30, 2012, Taco Time NW guests will receive 15 percent off any bulk compost delivery order from Cedar Grove by referencing code TACO2COMPOST when ordering.

“We’re proud to support other family-owned companies who share our commitment to the community and other local businesses,” said Colin Ury, vice president of business affairs for Taco Time NW. “Cedar Grove employs hundreds of local workers and is on the forefront of emerging technologies. They’ve been a great partner for the implementation of our composting program, and it’s fun knowing that the materials our restaurants compost can eventually be used in my garden at home.”

Restaurant guests will be able to dispose 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.