Our Personal Zero-Waste Transition

 

When Patricia Catering and Cocktails decided to participate in the Zero-Waste initiative, we knew it was important to embrace it at the office and at home. Like any major habit shift, the beginning was not easy. We had lots of questions about what goes where and how to best set up our office and homes to efficiently implement Zero-Waste into our lives. Although it’s been a challenge at times, it’s been a rewarding process, and keeps getting easier the more we learn.

How We’ve Changed

We didn’t become Zero-Waste overnight, but the transition was quicker than we imagined. Many little changes have helped us get closer to our goal. The key is to focus on one change at a time.  One of the first and easiest changes we made was bringing our own water bottles instead of using single-use plastics. Our head chef Beau started an herb garden using Hillside Solutions compost, instead of only buying from vendors. You can find most of our team members at local farmer’s markets on the weekend sourcing fresh local produce and other items.

Patricia (Founder & Owner)

Patricia is now buying compost from Hillside Solutions (our waste removal partner) bringing the cycle full circle. She uses the compost in her personal and company garden to grow farm to table herbs and vegetables. At home, she has incorporated recycling and composting and uses sustainable products instead of single-use plastics.

Beau (Head Chef)

Beau has started using Hillside Solutions compost to grow fresh non-GMO herbs to use in his cuisine. He also uses the compost at home in his personal garden. Beau has also incorporated the sustainable practice of seed collecting from the herbs he grows to plant out the next rotation – a completely self-contained system.

Sarah (Administrative & Marketing)

Sarah has incorporated recycling and composting at home. Instead of just throwing stuff away, she tries to think of ways to repurpose items and recycles what can’t be repurposed. In addition, Sarah has committed herself to using more sustainable products instead of single-use plastics.

Bree (Lead Server)

Bree has incorporated recycling at home. She bought recycling cans and labeled them to make it easy for her family to know where to put each item.

Emma (Lead Server)

Emma has become more conscious of what is trash and what is recyclable. She is educating and encouraging her family to pay more attention as well.

Chris (Dishwasher)

Chris lives in an apartment complex that doesn’t offer recycling and compost. But that hasn’t stopped him. He still separates his trash and brings his recyclables and compost to our facility.

Want to Join the Zero-Waste Initiative?

Incorporating Zero-Waste into our personal lives has been an empowering experience. We feel like we’re actively participating in helping make the world a better place. One person can’t change the world as a whole, but when you change your personal world, you’re making an impact.

We look forward to keeping you posted with our Zero-Waste journey, and hope to see you at your next event!

Patricia Catering and Cocktails is Now Zero Waste

We’re excited to announce that Patricia Catering and Cocktails is the area’s only Zero Waste caterer!  We are now focused on reusing, recycling and reducing our waste in all aspects of our operation. We have phased out all Styrofoam, and now use 100% compostable plates, cups and napkins. Our kitchen and office are 100% zero waste, and we now offer sustainable products and zero waste events for your next company event or Omaha wedding.

What is Zero Waste?

The simple answer is zero waste aims to send nothing to the landfill. We reuse as much as we can, send recyclables to get recycled, and compost the rest.

The more in-depth answer is that zero waste is about redefining the system. Currently, the system the majority of people are participating in is linear. We take resources from the Earth and then dump them in a giant hole in the ground.   The goal of zero waste is to move to a circular system where whatever extras we have the Earth is able to absorb or compost them naturally.

How do We Do It?

We’ve partnered with Hillside Solutions, an organization that was created to connect schools, apartments communities, and businesses with landfill, recycling, and compostable hauling services. Their focus is diverting materials from the landfill, providing people with sustainable alternatives, and enabling and inspiring the community to live a zero waste lifestyle. Hillside solutions partners with Gretna Sanitation and Soil Dynamics to bring zero waste to Omaha.

The Problem with Landfills

The average American is sending 4.4lbs of trash to the landfill every day. None of the materials get sorted out, and some of it composts, and a lot of it doesn’t. Because everything is just thrown together, landfills have become toxic. They’re responsible for 20% of the methane emissions in the U.S. and aren’t adequately aerated for optimal decomposition of natural materials. Toxins from cleaners, batteries, small electronics, and other items leach into the soil and run off into the ocean and groundwater. Plastics, in particular, are causing problems in our oceans. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade – it just gets smaller.

Why Recycling can’t Solve the Problem

Recycling is great, but it can’t be the only solution. There’s simply too much to process. And processing takes energy! Only 9% of plastic gets recycled. Most of our recycling isn’t even processed in the U.S. It’s processed in China. The three R’s of sustainability are: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” The last line of defense is recycling, and in the future, it will likely be dedicated to the recycling of technology components.

What Does this Mean for Patricia Catering and Cocktails Clients?

This means that your next event can be a zero waste event.  If your event requires hot foods, we use stainless steel pans and containers that will be washed and reused rather than disposable aluminum.

Recyclable Items

  • All plastics
  • Cardboard
  • Tin cans
  • Paper
  • Styrofoam

Compostable Products

  • 9 oz. and 12 oz. cups
  • Palm leaf constructed plates
  • Cornstalk and sugar cane constructed bowls
  • Napkins
  • All food scraps

Do You Want Your Next Event to be Zero Waste?

If you’re interested in learning more about zero waste and making your event zero waste, please call us. Once we learn more about your event, we can design a plan to ensure it’s zero waste, and still meet all of your expectations for an unforgettable event, whether it’s a beautiful Omaha wedding or a celebration event at your company.