Green Crown Program

The Green Crown Program recognizes Charlotte restaurants, breweries, caterers, coffee shops and hospitality businesses that are taking meaningful steps to reduce waste, conserve resources and support a more sustainable local economy. The program is free to join, and applications are now open for the refreshed Green Crown Program.

Who Should Apply?

Charlotte-area businesses in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, including:

• Restaurants
• Breweries
• Bars
• Coffee shops
• Caterers
• Hotels
• Event venues
• Hospitality and food service businesses

Businesses do not need to be perfect to participate. Green Crown is designed to recognize current sustainability efforts while also supporting businesses that are continuing to grow and improve their practices.

Why Participate?

The Green Crown Program helps recognize those efforts while creating opportunities for businesses to learn from one another, share best practices and strengthen sustainability across Charlotte’s hospitality community.

Benefits of participating:

• Recognition from the City of Charlotte
• Connection with Charlotte’s growing network of sustainability-minded businesses
• Access to best practices, vendors and resources with peer businesses

Apply Now

Priority applications are due July 1. After July 1, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Email questions to greencrown@charlottenc.gov.

Did You Know?

• 120 billion disposable cups are used by Americans each year
• 500 million straws used per day
• 98% of delivery/takeout meals are consumed at home or at work where reusable cutlery is available
• Americans use 500 million drinking straws every day
• 40 billion plastic knives, forks and spoons are disposed of in one year and are used for less than 15 minutes
• In the US, the restaurant industry generates about 11.4 million tons of food waste annually at a cost of roughly $25 billion every year