Bringin' the Green to the Bean

Most head to Beantown for the baseball. But us? We’re here for the pie. 

The pizza pie, that is. Cause at Brighton’s Big Daddy's, there’s a “cheese-a-roni” with our name on it. And, lucky for us - it comes in the GreenBox. 

A city staple with a neighborhood feel, Big Daddy’s has been servin’ up old-world style pies for over three decades. From their “mucho meaty” to their mac-n-cheese masterpiece, each BD pizza is baked crispy on fire hot bricks, creating what one Yelper calls “the best in Brighton.”  

Now, tack on an order of fried dough bites - topped with homemade garlic butter & romano cheese - and we’re here to stay. 

Mmmm. Looks wicked good. 

While we might be partial to the pizza, the sandwich menu deserves a shout-out. Cause who’d say no to a good ‘ol fashioned New England sub? No friends of ours, that’s for sure. Big Daddy’s “Patriot” features homemade stuffing & cranberry sauce (hello, Thanksgiving), while Wonton noodles are piled high on the “Chinatown Special.” Oh, and their Steak & Cheese is rated #1 in Boston by UrbanSpoon. We could go on, or you could check out the 40 different varieties for yourself. 

...I know. We’re starving, too. 

Dessert, you ask? Pass the homemade raspberry Rangoon: warm dough pockets stuffed with cream cheese & raspberry preserves - each topped with a layer of powered sugar for good measure. Magic. Pure magic. 

 

Needless to say, when Big Daddy’s decided to go GreenBox, we were ecstatic. And when they wanted to customize? Cue us jumping for joy. They’ve got a standout design that’s tough to top - and a familiar logo that has fans feeling like home. Plus, check out how good we look in blue. ☺ 

 

So next time you’re headed to Beantown, grab a pie from Big Daddy’s...and pick up an order of their award-winning dough bites to go. They’re lathered in butter, cinnamon & butterscotch. Need we say more?

Recycle by Colors

We're big fans of recycling around here. In fact, as I look up across my desk, I catch a glimpse of our extra large green bin - piled high, overflowing with reusable goodness.

Ah. Be still my heart.

So when we saw that our recent post, Recycle by Numbers was a hit with readers - we figured, why stop there? Let's keep this educational train running.

Today, we bring you a handy guide on how best to re-use and recycle some of the most common materials. From your car battery to that 90's TV and everything in between, we guarantee you'll think twice about how to get rid of that hot pink Razr phone.

Oh, stop. We know you have one.

Let the learning begin.

Aluminum

Americans discard about 2.7 million tons of aluminum each year. But - only half that amount is recycled.

And, there's no excuse. Across the U.S., over 10,000 locations buy back aluminum cans. Plus, who doesn't love some extra cash? 100% recyclable, cans return to the shelves as new within only 60 days after dropping them into the bin. Oh, and recycling just one saves enough energy to run your TV for three hours.

Now that's a lot of Netflix binging.

Aluminum foil is no exception. Last year, Americans discarded almost 500,000 tons of the material - all of which could've been recycled. Re-use it as much as possible (it's easily wiped down) and give it a good rinse before dropping it into your bin. Better yet? Splurge a little for the 100% recycled foil. This kind uses 5% less energy than traditional foil during the manufacturing process.

Voila!

Glass

In the U.S. today, most glass bottles contain at least 27% recycled material. But, when it comes to recycling this sturdy substance, even the smallest remnants of food waste or dirt can contaminate the entire batch. Cue memories of mom nagging you to "rinse out the recyclables!" Yup, she was right... again.

Here's an interesting tidbit: brown glass, the most common color for beer bottles, is manufactured by adding nickel, sulfur and carbon to molten glass. Since this brown color can't be removed, recycled brown bottles = more brown bottles!

Pizza & a brew, anyone?! In the GreenBox, of course. ☺

So, feel free to toss your clear, green and amber glass into the recycling (rinsed clean!) - but mirrors, Pyrex and ceramics (such as dishware and ovenware) aren't accepted.

Batteries

Car batteries are the most recycled product in America. That's right - in the U.S. alone, about 100 million batteries are replaced a year, and 99% of these are recycled. Cool, huh?

Each car battery is made up of about 60% lead and contains three pounds of plastic - most of which can be reclaimed to produce new batteries. Oh, and the sulfuric acid contained within the product can be neutralized, purified & released as clean water.

Minds. Blown.

Bottom line? Many retailers (like AutoZone!) will take back batteries, but contact your local municipality to find out where to recycle yours. Easy as pie.

Computers

Each day, over 130,000 computers are dumped in landfills. But, guess what? Nearly 100% of your old computer can be re-used. Plastic, metal, glass... it's a recycling center's dream!

So, no need to chuck that dust-gathering laptop. Apple, Dell, HP and IBM are just a few of many manufacturers that offer trade-in options. Circuit City and Best Buy will also accept your "e-waste," and Staples even welcomes desktop printers, faxes and all-in-ones. Ta da!

TVs

Making the switch to a 75", HD, wall-mounted flat screen? Us too. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 18% of TVs discarded last year were recycled. That leaves 20 million televisions, each containing about 8 pounds of lead, polluting our landfills.

Check with your local municipality for drop-off centers, or find a retailer that offers a TV recycling program (LG and Sony do!). Or, if your TV is still in working condition, here's a list of non-profit organizations that would gladly take that clunker off your hands. They'll even scoop it up for free. 

Cell Phones

At this moment, over 1 billion gadgets are catching cobwebs in our junk drawers. And - only 10% of these will be recycled.

Trashed cell phones (hello, Blackberry) represent about 65,000 tons of electronic waste each year. For every 1 million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.

Yeah, we said it. Gold.

Before you toss that iPhone 4 (we know, it's so yesterday), consider a program like Eco-cell. They'll even pay you for your old smartphone! AT&T and Verizon both offer trade-in programs, and our personal favorite - Cell Phones for Soldiers - will ensure that your working device gets into the best of hands.

Recycle by Numbers

Did you know that not all plastic is created equal?

As a matter of fact, each type or “resin” has a unique chemical formula & special properties, categorized by a number ranging one through seven. 

As fellow gung-ho greenies, we bet you’re no stranger to the recycling symbols imprinted beneath your plastic purchases. V? PS? 6? HDPE? What is this, Morse code? Never fear - we’re here to help you embrace the differences, make earth-friendly decisions & dispose of your waste the eco way.

So next time you’re wondering if “PETE” signed the bottom of your water bottle, revisit this list, toss that bad boy into your recycling bin & know we’ve got your back. While we might be all about the papery brown stuff here at GB HQ, when it comes to recycling – we don’t play favorites.

Number 1: PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Common uses: Water bottles, salad-dressing containers, peanut butter jars
Recyclable? Yes!
Did You Know? Beware! A number of recent studies reveal that PET leaches endocrine disruptors into contents under certain conditions. Prolonged high heat is a no-no when it comes to PET! 

Number 2: HDPE (high density polyethylene)
Common uses: Detergent bottles, hard hats, milk jugs, bottle caps, hula hoops
Recyclable? Yes!
DYK? A versatile material, HDPE is readily recycled (and it’s non-leaching!). However, a number of curbside recycling programs will only allow containers that... wait for it...have “necks.”

Number 3: PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
Common uses: Plastic wrap, medical equipment, siding & windows
Recyclable? No. It is known as a “poison plastic”!
DYK? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PVC is classified as a human carcinogen. Stay safe and keep number 3 plastic far, far away from last night’s leftovers. (better yet, store them in a GreenBox!) 

Number 4: LDPE (low density polyethylene)
Common uses: Squeezable bottles, shopping bags, carpet, furniture
Recyclable? Sometimes! While LDPE is reusable, it is not always recyclable.
DYK? A flexible plastic, LDPE is more readily accepted by local recycling programs than it once was. FYI – plastic shopping bags can be returned to many stores for recycling purposes (better yet, get yourself a reusable tote!).

Number 5: PP (polypropylene)
Common uses: Syrup & ketchup bottles, straws, caps, yogurt containers
Recyclable? Sometimes! Check with your local recycling department.
DYK? Durable & BPA-free, PP is a favorite for reusable bags and food storage containers. Health-conscious consumers, rejoice!

Number 6: PS (polystyrene)
Common uses: Egg cartons, packing pellets, disposable plates & cups
Recyclable? No!
DYK? Popularly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is notorious for its environmental burden. Non-biodegradable and non-recyclable, the material occupies approximately 30% of landfill space. In 2006, the U.S. was discarding over 14 million tons of polystyrene products annually. Say no to Styro!

Number 7: Miscellaneous
Common uses: Sunglasses, DVDs, nylon, signs & displays
Recyclable? Sometimes! Check with your local recycling department.
DYK? Number 7 is a catch-all category. All are welcome. ☺

It's All About The Dough

A-Town is the name, Neapolitan is the game. At this Denver destination, fresh is the first ingredient - and quality is key. 

A smoked-wood aroma fills the walls of this Aurora hotspot, where the crust is crispy and the beer is Colorado craft. A 5,000-pound, Italian-made Stefano Ferrara oven is the focal point of the space, where A-Town’s 12” pies are baked in less than two minutes – and in a scorching 700 degrees. 

It’s “pizza born from fire,” alright. And customers are lovin’ it.

One Yelp reviewer couldn’t have put it better: "I went here on a first date today... I really liked A-Town, maybe even more than the guy.”

The secret to A-Town’s sizzling success is in the dough, prepared in-house daily and made from aged Italian flour. The addition of Sweet San Marzano tomatoes and hand-stretched mozzarella doesn’t hurt, either. ☺ 

Like their wood-fired pizza, A-Town’s menu is anything but ordinary. Kick off the night with an order of A-Town poppers: light and airy dough balls stuffed with pancetta, jalapeños, cream cheese and garlic oil. 

For the main course, “Gray Grandma,” “Bix Tex” and “Maui Wowi” are just a few of their signature pies (they have over 30!), with “The Bookie” being a fan-favorite. Topped with olive oil, garlic, mozzarella, onion, artichoke, green olives and prosciutto, word is that this best-seller is named after the A-Town accountant. In fact, we’d even bet you on it. 

In the mood for a sweet treat? A-Town’s “Hailey Girl” hits the spot. You just can’t go wrong with toasted pizza crust filled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. And, for all you nutella lovers, the Nutty Isaac can't be beat. Gotta love that hazelnut goodness! 

To say we’re flattered to call A-Town GreenBox users is an understatement (just look at that custom box!). It’s been about a week since we've officially welcomed them as members of the GreenBox family, but we are already proud to call them friends. 

Let's all get down with A-Town!

Loving the Earth, Today & Always

Earth’s resources are precious, and here at GreenBox, we’re on a mission to preserve them. 

This year, Earth Day is observed on April 22, but inside our “box” – not a day goes by that we don’t take the time to celebrate our wonderful planet. Earth Day is just a reminder of the objective we’ve been working toward since the beginning: innovating to meet the needs of today, while protecting the resources of tomorrow.

And we’re ecstatic to say that we’re doing just that. 

Last week, the GreenBox made headlines in PSFK for “eliminating waste four-fold.” As the article points out, in the U.S. alone, 2.4 billion pizza boxes are used every year. By replacing just 1 million (0.04%) of these with our 100% recycled and recyclable GreenBox, we would preserve the following resources:

• 5,950 trees on 30 acres of land
• 1,120 cubic yards of landfill space
• 2,450,000 gallons of water
• 1,435,000 kilowatt hours of energy
• 700 barrels of oil
• 205,450 pounds of air pollution 

The statistics are astounding.

So today (and every day), we ask that you do your part to make a difference. Cut your morning shower just a little bit short. Take the time to recycle your morning paper. Trade out an old light bulb for an eco-friendly alternative. Bike to work. 

Because, if we’ve learned anything – it’s that small changes can make a remarkable difference.

We all can do our part to keep the Earth beautiful. Remember: we only have one planet, and there is no place like home. 

In the Pages of the WSJ by Morning, "Escaping the Cube" by Day, and Swimming with Sharks by Night

Friday, January 30th was truly a historic day for GreenBox - one we will forever celebrate as the day our "transformers of pizza boxes" took the national stage, being raved about on multiple news outlets, blogs, twitter feeds, and around water coolers across the country.

With waves of unbelievable excitement, we'd been anxiously anticipating this night for months and were practically shouting it from the rooftops. The GreenBox team would face the judges of ABC's "Shark Tank" - with 9+ million viewers in tow. It felt like the job interview of a lifetime.

Could it get much better? Apparently, yes - and we've got a hit in Friday morning's Wall Street Journal to prove it. There's nothing quite like seeing your company in print over morning coffee & one heck of a New York bagel. We're still pinching ourselves.

Then just around lunchtime, we switched on CNBC's hit daytime show "Power Lunch," and the sight of Jennifer Wright-Laracy's smiling face had us all beaming with pride. Our very own president & co-founder had "escaped the cube" of finance in 2009, marking the beginning of GreenBox, helping to launch the company we all work for (and love) today. If you missed it, check out the segment - it's one of our favorites. 

Fast-forward to 9:14pm. With our confidence running high amongst family and friends, we watched Jen and Ned stumble a little bit out of the box, calmly dust themselves off and proceed to knock it out of the park. We think GreenBox user Last Dragon Pizza said it best: 

The GreenBox was a hit, with two "Shark bites" to prove it! And with an offer from "Mr. Wonderful," Kevin O'Leary, too good to refuse, we swam out of the tank a Nemo-style success... knowing there's no limit to how far the GreenBox will go as it changes the world - "one pizza box at a time."

We spent the rest of the night celebrating with friends, family... and pizza. Always pizza. 

Like A Virgil

One square, two square, three square, four. At Virgil’s Plate, there’s always more, more, more.

When it comes to pepperoni, bacon, and a whole lotta roasted veggies, you’ve got yourself some big decisions to make. Pizza problems? Virgil’s “select-a-slice” has you covered. It’s where you top by the square, and there’s no need to compare. ☺

Cheesy rhymes aside, where else can you grab a 12-cut pizza, topped 12 different ways? Virgil’s owner, Gary Fleming, calls it “Peaceful Pizza” - and amongst the kicking and screaming over sausage or extra cheese here at GreenBox, we’d love to get our hands on one. 

But Virgil’s is so much more than Erie’s #1 referee. Known around town for their rich & buttery house-baked dough and perfectly seasoned sauce, they’ve stolen the hearts of locals and visitors alike. There are no freezers or fryers to be had within Virgil’s walls, as the place prides itself on simply fresh and flavorful ingredients from start to finish. (And when we say “finish,” we mean you best be taking home a bag full of their homemade pepperoni balls. They’re not to be missed.)

A fan favorite has to be their “Happy Wife” – a crispy crust topped with fresh spinach, sausage, tomatoes, red onions and ricotta cheese. Happy wife, happy life!

Not only are they the official inventors of what we deem the “perfect pizza,” Virgil’s has love for the Earth, too. There are no plastic bags or Styrofoam allowed, and bottled water has been officially kicked to the curb. Aside from making delicious pie, it’s Virgil’s goal to operate as eco-friendly as possible. The GreenBox seemed like the perfect fit – and their customers agree. We’re delighted. 

As Gary told our team, “Like you, we’re doing something different within an industry that’s been largely the same.” Could we ever ask for more?

We're Keepin' It Real - Are You?

It’s that time of year again. Twinkling white lights line the doorways, gifts are being wrapped in a hurry, and the fresh smell of pine fills the air. And of course, the holiday season wouldn’t be the same without one thing: a Christmas tree.

But as Americans are becoming more environmentally conscious, people are having a hard time choosing between buying a fake tree or cutting down a real one. And while many consumers think they’re “going green” by getting this year’s tree at a big box retailer, they might want to think again. According to National Geographic, your plastic tree isn’t all that environmentally friendly after all. In fact, it's a real strain on Mother Earth.

Rick Dungey, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, sets the record straight: "An artificial tree is never going to decompose. It’s always going to end up in a landfill. It’s always going to be an environmental burden."

Think about it: your newly purchased tree isn’t manufactured in your backyard. In fact, most are typically shipped all the way from China… a long trip that results in a ton of greenhouse gas emissions. Some might argue that a fake tree is better because it lasts longer. But most people reuse theirs only 4 or 5 years in a row, until it goes to the dump where it sits for centuries on end. On the other hand, your pine-needled tree will biodegrade—helping to prevent erosion and building up shorelines in the process.

So, instead of putting up a fake tree this year (one that is packaged in a cardboard box, remember), keep it real and help reduce your carbon footprint. We don’t need to make drastic changes to help improve the environment, which is the exact concept behind Ecovention, LLC’s GreenBox: a product that re-invents the typical pizza box. Just 50 million of these in circulation would save 280,250 trees, 1,041 acres of land, 85,750,000 gallons of water, and 50,225,000 kilowatts of energy. That's a pretty big deal.

Remember: it’s our planet, and our responsibility.

Rick's on Fire: Chatter with the Chef

Hand-ladled ricotta, fresh mozzarella, roasted garlic and rich olive oil… it’s what Rick’s Wood-Fired calls their “Casablanca,” and patrons simply can’t get enough. 

Nestled in the cultural mecca of Woodstock, New York, Rick’s hip & soulful vibe is a local standout. Their unassuming 1890’s exterior doesn’t give the place justice; one step inside, and you’re instantly transported into the eclectic world of Chef Rick, his spirited passion, and his exquisite pizza pies. 

A perfect blend of old and new, the subtle candlelight, retro décor, and ever-changing music add such life to the space. Picassos line the walls, and Woodstock-themed tunes sing though the speakers. It’s a modern-day chill-out longue…and it’s not to be missed. 

We’re mesmerized with Rick’s Wood-Fired, and couldn’t wait to sit down with Chef Rick himself. He has such a light about him, an obvious fervor that shines through… the mark of a true pizza maker. Below, we thought we’d share some of the highlights from our time with Rick. His words were too fabulous to keep to ourselves. 

1. What separates Rick’s Wood-Fired from other pizzerias? In what way(s) do you stand out?

Well firstly, here in the U.S. I find "pizzeria" often carries the connotation of a being a fast-food establishment...self-serve, walk up to the counter to place your order, available by-the-slice, often pre-made, re-heated, etc., all of which Rick's is not. We are an upscale-looking, full-service, sit down/wait-staffed restaurant, serving wood-fired/brick-oven pizzas, personal-sized, made to order, as in the true tradition of Naples, Italy.

Secondly (most importantly), what separates Rick's is Rick. It is the passion, the love, the care, attention to detail, and great respect for the ingredients (the finest, cost-no-object we can source--including our own house-made mozzarella fresh daily) that I put into each and every pizza I make, that separates Rick's from the vast majority of others.

2. Tell us a little bit about you, Rick. What was your motivation behind opening a pizzeria? 

I spent my entire adult career on the trading floors of the New York commodities markets. Growing up in an Italian family, I have always had an enormous passion for food and cooking. Homemade pizza happened to be one of my particular specialties, from way back before it became a wide-spread, fashionable/trendy thing to do at home. After retiring from trading, I was looking for something else to do, and my brother-in-law Chris came to me with the idea of brick-oven pizza. 

3. We see that many of your menu items have very cool/unique titles. Where does this inspiration come from?

We’re located next to Upstate Films, Woodstock's one and only movie theater, and epicenter of the internationally renowned annual Woodstock Film Festival. We thought it befitting we pay homage to the film industry. It's actually the one task I didn't think I'd be any good at, i.e., coming up with catchy titles, but one day, as if by some form of divine inspiration it all just came to me...just flowed out of me, one after the other. Funny thing...I had the names all picked out so long before we were ready to open our doors that I myself had to keep a menu by my side at first to refer to/remind myself of what ingredients were to go on my own pizza creations!

4. What made you want to bring in the GreenBox and in what way(s) has it changed the pizzeria? How have customers responded?

Eco-minded as I am, I was totally psyched upon first learning of the concept of GreenBox, dating back long before we opened our doors. I was convinced from day one that it was the box we HAD to use for our carry-out pizza. Insofar as our customers are concerned, knowing the mind-set of Woodstock, i.e., its having a disproportionate (thankfully) percentage of eco-conscious population, I was convinced absolutely that GreenBox would be extremely well-received, and indeed it has been. I can't tell you how many of our customers have in fact made it a point to thank us for caring/making this choice!

5. What makes you excited about going to work every morning?

The overwhelmingly positive feedback I receive from our customers on a constant/daily basis. Particularly rewarding is the fact that so much of it is wholly unsolicited...that so many of our wonderful customers graciously volunteer their praises.