# Red Robin Sustainability: Solar, LEDs and Greener Operations

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/red-robin-sustainability/
- Published: 2014-01-26T03:00:57-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

**Red Robin sustainability** efforts included solar power, LED lighting, farming
practices and waste reduction. The restaurant chain used a mix of operational and
supply-chain changes to lower energy use and environmental impact.

## Red Robin Targeted Energy, Food and Waste

[⌊Red Robin restaurant sustainability initiatives including solar and LED lighting⌉⌊
Red Robin restaurant sustainability initiatives including solar and LED lighting⌉[

[⌊Red Robin restaurant green operations and energy-efficiency efforts⌉⌊Red Robin
restaurant green operations and energy-efficiency efforts⌉[

There are several great ways [Red Robin Restaurants](https://www.redrobin.com/) 
is trying to and succeeding in saving green by going green.

Let’s take a look.

**SOLAR POWER**
 By piloting solar panels at three of our Colorado restaurants, 
we’ve already contributed to lowering demand for electric power generation from 
local power plants and reducing carbon dioxide and other emissions.

**LED LIGHTING**
 Red Robin is expecting to save more than 5.5 million kilowatt-
hours of electricity every year with our switch to energy-efficient LED lighting
in our company-owned restaurants. _That’s roughly equal to planting 923 acres of
trees or removing 4,060 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually. It’s also
a lot of cash. _

**SUSTAINABLE FARMING**
 **Red Robin is proud to offer our Guests high-quality, 
farm fresh produce – it’s part of our Honest To Goodness quality commitment**. Here
are some of the ways that our growers help maintain the sustainability and integrity
of our supply chain:

_Crop Rotation _– Helps prevent soil disease and erosion while naturally replenishing
nutrients in the soil

_Hand Trimming and Thinning _– Removes weeds by hand as an alternative to using 
chemical herbicides

_Beneficial Insects _– Control harmful [insect populations](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/whats-happening-to-the-insects-and-should-we-be-worried/)
without the use of chemical pesticides

_Water Management _– Maximizes efficiency of water usage and reduces water waste
and runoff

_Soil Treatment Programs _– Maintain rich, healthy soil and balanced pH through 
mineral replacement and composting

_Recycling & Resource Replenishment _– Using recycled, recyclable and reusable materials
for produce packaging and shipping; elimination or reduction of wax or petro-chemical
coatings in packaging; and sourcing packaging from Sustainable Forestry Initiative(
SFI) certified suppliers.

**MANAGING ENERGY**
 Red Robin was the first kitchen operator to receive a Certificate
of Recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March, 2013 
for “Sharing Your Story” and contributing to a healthier climate by encouraging 
others to save energy and money with ENERGY STAR® commercial service food equipment.

_In addition, we continue to test an energy management system that operates more
efficiently while powering our restaurants’ heating, ventilation, air conditioning,
exterior lighting and signage._

[⌊20140126-000155.jpg⌉⌊20140126-000155.jpg⌉[

Thanks to Remy Chevalier for this pick up of a story and here is the release from
Red Robin

## Restaurant Sustainability Requires Multiple Strategies

Restaurants use energy for lighting, cooking, refrigeration and HVAC while also 
generating packaging and food waste. That means no single upgrade can address the
entire footprint.

For more food-sector sustainability coverage, see our [local food and community sustainability coverage](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/community-gardens-connecting-neighbors-and-nature/).

## Conclusion

Red Robin’s efforts showed how restaurants can combine efficiency, sourcing and 
waste reduction. The strongest sustainability programs usually work across operations
rather than focusing on one technology.

Source: Red Robin corporate sustainability information cited in the original article.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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