Joe’s Crab Shack at the Rowing Club Makes Sustainable Improvements
Joe’s Crab Shack at the Rowing Club, is a seafood restaurant located by the Embarcadero Marina Park South, just minutes from downtown and the Convention Center. It is participating in the Port of San Diego’s Green Business Challenge.
Penny Do
ncouse, general manager, explains actions they are taking as part of the challenge:
“We’re always looking for new ideas like biodegradable cleaning products, waste reduction and the Direct Install program with San Diego Gas and Electric.”
All the staff at Joe’s Crab Shack is involved in its efforts to go green.
“Employees have been onboard from the minute we started recycling bottles and cardboard. We have saved money on our trash pickup since we started recycling,” said Doncouse.
To enhance their recycling program, Joe’s Crab Shack at the Rowing Club began working with the local company called New Leaf Biofuel, to recycle their used cooking oil. New Leaf picks up used cooking oil for free and makes environmentally-friendly biodiesel, which is sold locally to San Diego County residents and businesses. They have developed a great relationship over the past two years.
Other strategies Joe’s Crab Shack has implemented to increase their sustainability and save money include:
- Low flow toilets with only 1.6 gallons per flush
- Minimizing the use of kitchen appliances during the winter
- Using natural lighting as much as possible, and turning on house lights only during business hours
- Use of environmentally-friendly, cloth carry-out containers instead of plastic ones
- Eliminating the use of styrofoam products
“We have gotten positive feedback from our customers who see the Green Business Challenge plaque posted in the lobby,” said Doncouse. When asked why Joe’s is participating, she said, “It’s a good idea to do all that we can to help the environment because it keeps our world cleaner now and will benefit our children in the future."
Joe's Crab Shack at the Rowing Club is located at 525 East Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA.
