Eat, Drink & Be Green

During the holiday season, Americans produce 25% more trash. That equates to 5 million additional tons of garbage in our (snow-covered) landfills. Now, that doesn’t seem very festive.  

It's official: white Christmases are so yesterday. This year, we're goin' green - and we think Santa would be proud. Check out some "out of the box" ways to keep your holiday season eco-friendly. Literally though, lay off the unrecyclable gift boxes. They’re horrible for the environment. 

1. Green Giftin’

Why spend 45 solid minutes lovingly wrapping a gift (or is that just us...) when someone is just going to tear it apart? That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Instead of buying wrapping paper that’s sure to beeline its way to the trash on Christmas morning, take advantage of what you already have at home. Old newspapers or magazines work like a charm and look cool, too. Better yet? Buy a gift that doesn’t need wrapping, like concert tickets or a yoga class package. Those are the best kinds, anyway.

Now, onto Christmas cards. You know, the ones that get piled up and tossed on January 1st (again, maybe just us...). Regardless, among a sea of endless texts and e-vites, a holiday greeting card is gold. So, we won’t fight you on it. But, instead of running to Hallmark, check out Give-A-Tree. For every card purchased, a tree is planted. So shop your holiday heart out. 

2. Green Blingin’

To real or not to real? That is the question. We’ve laid it out for the blogosphere once before, but it’s worth repeating: a fake Christmas tree is, in every sense, an environmental burden. From its “made in China” sticker (hello, greenhouse gases!) to the PVC and lead emitted from your imposter pine, there’s never a better time to go green. Plus, that carcinogen-filled candle just doesn’t do the scent justice. We know, we know. Bah humbug.

3. Green Feastin’

Are we the only ones that park ourselves in the kitchen at family get togethers? Cause grandma’s freshly baked cookies are what the holidays are about. Oh, and love. And hope. And all those nice things. But, according to the National Resource Defense Council, 40% of your feast will go to waste. So, instead of tossing those leftovers in the trash, donate the extras to your local food pantry. Here’s a handy locator tool to find a food bank in your area. Or, just drop them off at our house. We’d love to have you. ☺

Dreamin' of a green Christmas, this year and always.

Greener & Cleaner

Today, 80% of consumers consider themselves environmentally concerned. And, in a nation where restaurants use 7 times more energy than any other commercial building, they darn well should be.

According to the National Restaurant Association, “environmental sustainability” will be a hot trend in 2016, with eateries taking action to reduce their carbon footprints. And, after switching to the GreenBox (of course ☺), there are all sorts of ways - big and small - to go green.

These are just a few of our favorites.

1. Local Lovin’
Love thy neighbor, source locally! When you purchase from a farmer’s market or other local vendor, you’re investing back into the community - and saving big on fuel, too. 

Here in NYC, pizzerias have it made. Thanks to Gotham Greens, a 15,000 square foot greenhouse sits atop Brooklyn’s Whole Foods, where over 100 tons of leafy greens are harvested annually. GreenBox users Two Boots and Emily both take advantage of this urban rooftop garden, layering their artisan pies with fresh basil, arugula and “rooftop red” tomatoes 365 days per year.

2. Durable Décor
Why have regular chairs when you can rock recycled ones? Yes, that’s a thing - and we’re all about it. At Manhattan’s Pizza by Certe, the countertops are crafted from recycled bottles and the architectural millwork has been sourced from wheat. Even their walls, ceiling panels and cabinets are made from reclaimed materials. Certe’s “vertical garden” is a showstopper, growing fresh basil during the warmer months. We know, we know. These guys bring Certified 3-Star Green Restaurant to a whole new level. And we love ‘em for it.

3. Earthy Equipment
When it comes to sustainability, small changes add up. According to Pizza Today, a restaurant can cut 10% of its total electric bill just by switching to LED light bulbs. If you’re hoping to preserve water, incorporating flow-restricted faucets is the way to go, saving up to 73,000 gallons of water per year.

But, if you’re lookin’ to go green all the way, Neapolitan Express is the fleet to beat. The first mobile restaurant powered entirely by natural energy, their planet-friendly practices drew the attention of former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg. Their brick and mortar location - the very first pizzeria on Wall Street - just wouldn’t be complete without a solar-paneled roof & community garden.

In a world of conscious consumers, how will you make a difference?

Decked Out Delivery

Tweet for pizza? You got it. Domino’s delivery has been decked out, emoji-style.

The pizza pioneer has rolled out “Domino's Anyware,” a fresh feature that invites dedicated diners to order oven-baked goodness via text, tweet, smart watch and more. When you’ve got a craving, a pizza emoji to @Dominos will do.

These guys have got it down to a 5 second science. Or should we say, slice. 

Deep in the greasy gooey trenches of pizza paradise, the GB crew isn’t shocked by much. But my golly, our pie-lovin’ selves are floored. Why ruin a perfectly good couch dent when dinner is at your fingertips? Oh, Domino’s, you get us. 

Anyway, all this pizza talk has us thinking about some of our favorite marketing campaigns of yesteryear. Yeah, we’re feeling nostalgic. What of it? They're not pizza tweeting, but they’re pizza something. And that’s all we need to know. 

1. Pizza Hut

This little ditty is credited for introducing the nation to what is now one of the most iconic pizza chains in the world. “Putt Putt to the Pizza Hut” premiered in 1965, and is known today as the musical jingle that started it all. 

(Psst - what's up with bag delivery? Break out the boxes!)

2. Pizza Hut...Middle East

A hybrid pie? My oh my. For customers in the Middle East, Pizza Hut introduced a selection of mix n' match meals as part of their "Crown Crust" campaign. (Think mini cheeseburgers baked into the crust. An entire dozen of them.) 

Hot dog, chicken sandwich and cheese stick combos were also a part of this marketing masterpiece. Indecisive eaters, rejoice!

3. Donatos

Hi-yah, high-tech. Billboards are bomb. Not even Cindy Crawford could resist that melty mozzarella. These guys get an A+ for creativity (and a few good chuckles). Extra cheese, please!

4. Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria

Where else can you fit a record-holding 54”-by-54” giant Sicilian pizza? Directly on top of a smart car, of course! This LA-based chain has incorporated jumbo-sized pizza warmers onto their pint-sized pie carriers, even garnering the attention of the 2014 Oscars. 

Personal delivery for Ellen DeGeneres? Not bad. Not bad at all. 

What will they think up next?

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!