In order to close the loop , the company purchases several products with recycled-content, including calculator tape, pizza boxes, and garbage bags. At the Del Rio Bar, a co-operatively run establishment, all policy is decided by group consensus. Many of these group decisions have led to excellent environmental policies and programs. Each week 40 gallons of vegetable peelings are sent to Community Farm to be composted. Employees collect a number of materials for recycling, and purchase environmentally preferable products, such as paper towels and toilet paper.
Employees reuse folders, envelopes, paper, and boxes.
Customers are encouraged to bring in their own reusable containers for leftovers because the restaurant doesn't provide them. In addition, the kitchen has switched to a brand of eggs packaged in recyclable packaging. Dominick's, an Ann Arbor restaurant, diverts as much waste as possible from the landfill by recycling waste and purchasing new products with recycled content. Each year their recycling program grows due to the increased collection of materials such as white and mixed paper, cardboard, containers, packing materials, yard waste, and wood debris. Employees wash and reuse all plates, glasses, utensils, and pitchers, and they also purchase several items from Recycle Ann Arbor's Re-Use Center for use in the restaurant.