Einstein Bros. Bagels in Terminal 2 West at San Diego International Airport (SAN) has become the first official ‘ocean-friendly’ restaurant in an airport, as certified by Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurant program. It joins a wave of eateries publicly pledging to both reduce waste and boost environmental awareness about the alarming rise of garbage cluttering Earth’s waterways.
According to Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurant lead Vicki Conlon, the campaign is part of the organization’s efforts to combat what scientists estimate at over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic alone polluting oceans and threatening aquatic life.
As part of its efforts to promote ocean-friendly environmental practices, The Einstein Bros. Bagels Ocean Friendly Restaurant will offer reusable foodware for on-site dining, proper recycling practices, paper straws, no polystyrene, and no plastic bags for takeaway orders.
“We see this as another step in doing the right thing by both our customers and our planet,” said Rob Ziemer, general manager of Mission Yogurt, which operates both Einstein Bros. Bagel restaurants at SAN. “When the airport authority and Surfrider Foundation approached us with the suggestion, it just flowed naturally to follow on our efforts as one of the first green concessionaires at SAN.”