The first International Day of Zero Waste is here

The first-ever International Day of Zero Waste (it was proclaimed in December 2022) is an ideal opportunity to bring you closer to the story of the Slovenia Green Cuisine. When it comes to gastronomy, Slovenia has always followed the sustainability principles of the “from farm to fork” approach, focusing on seasonal, local, and organic dishes. But 2021 was a milestone. It was the year, when Slovenia became the European Region of Gastronomy, and also the year when restaurants and other food service providers were invited to join the green community of tourist destinations, accommodation providers, natural parks, tourist agencies, and tourist attractions, united under the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism.

Since then, food service providers have been able to join the Scheme and acquire the Slovenia Green Cuisine label, based on a previously acquired international L.E.A.F. certificate or Green Key certificate.

If a restaurant or other food provider in Slovenia wants to join the Scheme, they need to sign a Commitment to Sustainable Gastronomy in Slovenia, which consists of seven sustainability principles. The foundations are Slovenian food specialties and authentic and seasonal dishes of a local character, bringing forth the importance of short supply chains featuring local high-quality food suppliers. To honour the Slovenia’s plentiful water, it is recommended also to always serve fresh tap water, which is of the highest quality and needs no packaging. The aim is also to encourage food service providers to reduce their waste, stop using single-use plastics, and to use natural resources in a sustainable manner. Slovenia is widely known as a country with high hygienic and sanitary standards, ensuring access to safe food in a safe environment. Last but not least, the Commitment also encourages inclusivity in connections.

There are currently 50 restaurants and food providers with Slovenia Green Cuisine label.

Check them out!

Another topic worth mentioning today, on the International Day of Zero Waste, is The "LESS plastic, MORE sustainability" commitment to eliminate single-use plastic. It has been signed by more than 100 stakeholders in Slovenian tourism: hotel operators, health resorts and providers of other types of accommodation, restaurants, inns, destination organisations, glamping resorts, travel agencies, tourist attractions, event organisers, etc. The aim is to reduce single-use plastic by eliminating the most problematic and unnecessary packaging and single-use items as well as by following the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative principles. The goal is consistency in the elimination of single-use plastic from business.

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