# Garbageless Restaurants Eco-Friendly Restaurant ‘Sandwich Me’ Doesn't Produce Any Waste By Megan Facciuolo | Published 2014-04-25 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-restaurant References: [designtaxi](http://designtaxi.com/news/365227/An-Eco-Friendly-Restaurant-That-Went-Two-Years-Without-Producing-Waste/) & [sandwichmeinchicago](http://sandwichmeinchicago.com/) A Chicago-based restaurant should hold the title for most eco-friendly restaurant in North America, or the world for that matter. 'Sandwich Me' has not produced any garbage in over two years. The majority of restaurants produce up to eight gallons of waste per hour, so it is a serious accomplishment that this small business is able to not produce *any*. The restaurant's owner and head chef Justin Vrany revealed the concept and inspiration behind his sustainable eatery in a short video. In it, he describes how his parents were not very well-off and, consequently, they had to recreate meals out of their leftovers time and time again. The restaurant also leaves no room for waste and operates on renewable energy. Vrany only cooks with local meat and produce and recycles or composts whatever trash the restaurant produces. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 66% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Zero Waste Dining:** Opportunity for restaurants to adopt eco-friendly practices and eliminate waste production. - **Sustainable Food Operations:** Opportunity to incorporate renewable energy sources and locally sourced ingredients for a more environmentally conscious approach in the restaurant industry. - **Waste Reduction Solutions:** Opportunity to develop innovative waste management systems and technologies to help restaurants minimize their waste output. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Restaurant Industry:** Restaurants can implement waste reduction strategies, source locally, and adopt renewable energy sources to create eco-friendly dining experiences. - **Food and Beverage Industry:** Companies can support sustainable practices by sourcing locally, reducing waste, and promoting renewable energy. - **Waste Management Industry:** Opportunity for waste management companies to create tailored solutions and technologies to help restaurants achieve zero waste goals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Zero-Waste Grocery Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-eagle-market-district.md) - [Electric Food Recyclers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foodcycler-eco-3.md) - [Food Waste Management Awards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-waste-management.md) - [Upcycled Dog Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doggiebag.md) - [Fully Compostable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-seed-packaging.md) - [In-Office Food Recycling Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mill-for-workplace.md) - [Eco-Friendly Chicken Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbon-reduced-chicken.md) - [Net-Zero Carbon Fast-Food Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/netzero-restaurant.md) - [Renewable Circular Trash Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mill.md)