Eateries Win 'Clean Bay' Certification

A new wave of "green" is making its way to Southern California beach towns, including Redondo Beach.

The green and blue signs bearing a dolphin swimming in a clean ocean are popping up in eating establishments all over town. The signs are usually posted at the entrance of a restaurant and say "Clean Bay Restaurant Certified."

It's all part of the Clean Bay Restaurant Certification Program, which recognizes environmentally friendly establishments that are helping prevent ocean pollution.

More than 70 restaurants in Redondo Beach have been certified in the last 18 months.

These restaurants are doing more than what is required by law, said Michael Shay, principal civil engineer for Redondo Beach. "People will eventually start choosing restaurants that are certified."

Requirements for certification include: a "no dumping" label on the curb of restaurants near a catch-basin; proper grease disposal; maintenance of grease interceptors; maintenance of a clean site; no hosing down of parking lots or sidewalks; no outdoor washing of equipment; and a training program for new employees to familiarize them with the rules.

One of the major culprits in restaurant runoff is grease. Restaurants can indirectly create runoff by not maintaining a proper grease removal system. The grease then winds up in the sewers, and, eventually, the ocean, Shay said.

A grease trap installed in the drainage pipes will catch the grease, he said.

In Redondo Beach, many restaurants are open to becoming certified even though it requires an additional four to five hours of weekly cleanup and site maintenance.

"They're usually not too hesitant because they get inspected by the health department anyway," Shay said. "They'll ask what they need to do. They'll fix it, and then we return to make sure they get certified."

The Bluewater Grill is an eager participant in the program. "We're pleased and proud to be part of it, and it's working out very well," said Robert Hyman, owner of the grill.  "It was an easy decision to make, and it's obviously the right thing to do."

Pasha Niroo, owner of Pedone's Pizza, said certification was easy. "We didn't really have to change things like the way we disposed of grease, the way we clean our mats. We were already adhering to that," he said. "We've just always kind of been on top of things."

In addition to Redondo Beach, other participants in the program include Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Malibu, Rancho Palos Verdes, Santa Monica and Torrance.

"If you really want to be conscientious about your environment," Shay said, "visit these restaurants."

For the list of participating restaurants, visit the Bay Restoration Commission web site www.santamonicabay.org/smbay/ProgramsProjects/PollutionPreventionProjects/RestaurantCertification/tabid/135/Default.aspx. If you have general questions about the Clean Bay Restaurant Certification Program, contact Sarah Woodard at (213) 576-6641.