The First Amendment takes initiative
With the amount of waste rising every day in America’s landfills, people are looking for different ways to reduce that amount of waste.
One such person is Kyle Barnes, the owner of The First Amendment restaurant in downtown Wooster.
Barnes wanted to make a change after noticing the amount of waste her restaurant was producing.
“When we started, our garbage was being picked up once a week, then it got to twice a week. I was sick of it, so we started recycling. After that, one thing turned to another, it was like what else can we do?” Barnes said.
In addition to recycling, The First Amendment offers more eco-friendly options such as EarthChoice compostable takeout wear, beeswax straws, bamboo toothpicks, replacing styrofoam materials, using LED light bulbs and installing a low-flow sprayer for the dishwasher.
Since starting these initiatives, The First Amendment has cut their trash being taken out to only once a week.
Luke Stoll, a cook at the restaurant, enjoys being environmentally thoughtful at work.
“My favorite part about it is doing my job while being environmentally conscious,” Stoll said.
WHS student Jordan Schmidt (11) was happy to hear of the work The First Amendment is doing.
“I think it is a very good thing; every little bit counts. It would be nice if others did the same,” Schmidt said.
The First Amendment is still looking for ways to expand its environmental efficiency, as it is trying to start composting its food waste in collaboration with other downtown restaurants.