Sustainability
How We Define It & What Makes Us Unique
Ask any person to define "sustainability” and each one will give you a different definition of what sustainability means. Because sustainability is such a broad concept, our approach to sustainability is inclusive and multi-dimensional.
1. What We Serve
All of the fish we serve must come from populations that are plentiful and in good health. Also, the fishermen who catch these sustainable fish must do so in an environmentally ethical manner, thereby not damaging the surrounding ecosystem or other marine creatures. Our meats must come from local ranches (Oregon or Idaho) and be grass fed, hormone free, and free range. We use the highest grade of beef (American Kobe) we can source locally.
2. How We Operate
Simply sourcing sustainable food is great, however, it is only a single dimension of sustainability. To be sustainable, one must also operate in a sustainable manner. As a PGE "Green Source Business”, we proudly purchase 100% of our power from renewable energy sources. In addition, we have reusable, sustainably harvested teak wood chopsticks, double-flush low flow toilets, as well as energy efficient hand dryers. We use fully biodegradable to-go containers and all of our paper products are 100% recycled and minimum 40-80% post consumer content. We drastically reduce our production of waste by composting all allowable food items and having a comprehensive recycling program.
3. How We Act
At Bamboo Sushi, we feel that our commitment to treating our employees well and our conscious development of a positive and supportive work culture, foster a palpable environment of hospitality and warmth. As well, our dedication to community service reflects our fundamental belief that we have a responsibility as a small business to serve as a leader in the community and to bring about positive change. We believe it is important to not only be good stewards of the earth, but also to act as stewards of our community, treating one another other with respect and dignity.
It is with this holistic framework that we guide ourselves; adding up to a business model that has longevity, ensuring true sustainability.
Mission Statement
Welcome to Bamboo Sushi, the first certified, sustainable sushi restaurant in the world. Daily, we are dedicated to bring-ing you the freshest fish, meats, and produce with the greatest consciousness to marine stewardship, sustainability, and the environment.
What’s In a Name?
Today, the bamboo plant is best known for its incredible ver- satility and sustainability. From its ability to be spun into antimicrobial cloth fibers, to food, to flooring, bamboo is a renewable resource that is highly durable and requires little environmental impact to grow. In Asian culture, bamboo symbolizes many things: optimism, friendship, longevity, strength, straightforwardness, and adaptability. Because our goal is to operate with the highest level of sustainability and marine stewardship, we felt it proper to pay tribute to the symbolism of fundamental sustainability.
The Problem
Increased demand for popular seafood is depleting fish stocks around the world and harming the health of our oceans. With nearly 76% of the world’s fish populations over-fished or fully fished out, scientists are concerned that the oceans simply cannot keep up with the growing demand. Other environmental concerns are also taking a toll on our oceans and marine life, such as "bycatch", which is the unintended catch of sea turtles, sea birds, marine mammals and countless other types of sea life that get wasted in the process of catching fish.
Our Goal
With 67% of seafood in the United States being consumed in restaurants, we believe it is imperative to create a restaurant where people can get the freshest and best fish possible, while simultaneously helping to save the oceans and marine life.
Our Partnerships
What sets Bamboo Sushi apart and helps us in accomplishing our goals is first, our individual and collective commitment to sustainability, and second, our partnerships with some of the largest and most respected organizations in marine stewardship and oceanic sustainability in the United States. We have partnered with these organizations for the purpose of raising awareness for marine stewardship and sustainability. They constantly provide us cutting edge research about marine stewardship, which we then pass along to our customers. Currently, we are partnered with: Marine Stewardship Council, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Blue Ocean Institute, Salmon Nation, KidSafe Seafood, and the Green Restaurant Association.
Our Pledge
Using the guidelines established by Monterey Bay Aquarium and Blue Ocean Institute, we will never serve seafood that is on their "avoid" lists. Because we are the first restaurant in America certified as "chain of custody” by the Marine Stewardship Council, we will always serve as much MSC product as is available. Our MSC product represents exclusively "best choices” selections.
Beyond Seafood
While marine stewardship and sustainability are our primary focus, we realize that sustainability, by definition, is multi-faceted. Therefore we have taken steps to be sustainable with our non-marine menu items and our daily operations as well. We purvey most of our produce and meats from local, organic, and sustainable farms. As an operation, Bamboo Sushi is also the first sushi restaurant in the United States to be a "Certified Green Restaurant" by the Green Restaurant Association. This means that how we operate - from the power we buy, to the amount of water we use, to our 100% biodegradable to-go containers and compost program - is monitored and checked, ensuring that our operations have a light footprint as well.
You
While it is our mission to be on the cutting edge of marine stewardship and sustainability, helping to show that sustainability and business can coexists, it is not as difficult of a task to partake in for an individual as one might think. Simply by having a meal at Bamboo Sushi, you as a consumer are already doing your part. We sincerely appreciate you reading, and look forward hosting you in the restaurant.