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Green Crown Application — Hospitality

The City of Charlotte celebrates eating and drinking establishments that utilizes environmentally sustainable business practices.This voluntary and free program brings awareness to establishments implementing environmentally sustainable business practices, encourages further implementation, and ultimately reduces the use of natural resources in the restaurant industry.

Personal Information

Full Name

Full Address

What type of hospitality business do you run?

What is the approximate size of your establishment?

Google Review Rating

Last Health Department Inspection Date

Sustainable Practices: Please check all sustainable practices your establishment currently performs to earn points toward your Crown. To qualify, participants must earn at least 15 total points, including:

  • Waste Management: at least 2 points
  • Energy and Water Conservation: at least 1 point
  • Pollution Reduction: at least 1 point
  • Commitment to the Community: at least 1 point

Note: Some practices are required and also count toward your 15-point total.

There are 47 total points available across all practices (15-point minimum to qualify; up to 32 additional points may be earned).

Vendor/Best Practices Sharing: We will collect your responses to the vendor and best-practices questions below to share with other certified Green Crown establishments for educational purposes.

The City of Charlotte does not endorse, recommend or approve any vendors listed by participating establishments. Vendor information is shared for informational purposes only.

Consent: I agree that the vendor names I provide in this application may be shared with other Green Crown establishments

Certification Requirements

Do you use NO Styrofoam (polystyrene foam) containers for service or takeout (e.g., cups, plates, to-go clamshells)? (Not eligible unless corrected.)

Do you provide non-essential single-use items (bags, straws, napkins, utensils, extra condiments, accessory items) only upon request or when necessary? (Not eligible unless corrected.)

Is a guest room linen/towel reuse option offered (e.g., signage/QR or “opt-out” housekeeping by request)?

Waste Management

Commercial recycling is in place and proper practices are followed (clean/dry/empty, not bagged).

Are all staff trained on recycling procedures? (Housekeeping, cooks, front desk, etc.)

Are you interested in formal recycling training?

Which best describes your food/drink waste diversion practices? (Only applicable if you have food service.)

Are grease, fats and oils recycled or disposed of properly? (If applicable.)

Toiletry dispensers (bulk/refillable) are used in guest rooms (shampoo/soap/lotion) OR refillable options in back-of-house to reduce single-use plastics.

Plastic water bottles are reduced by using refill stations/filtered water dispensers OR water is provided only upon request.

Digital receipts/check-out statements are offered before printed versions.

Energy and Water Conservation

Do you use electricity generated from renewable sources (e.g., solar panels/renewable energy program)?

Do you have low-flow toilets and/or low-flow/sensored faucets in restrooms?

Do you have at least two Energy Star/energy efficient appliances AND use LED bulbs in all fixtures?

Laundry practices reduce energy/water use (full loads, cold water where feasible, high-efficiency machines, scheduled linen processing).

Guest room HVAC uses smart thermostats/occupancy sensors OR building automation/scheduling is used to reduce energy use.

Do you use a thermostat schedule (programmable/smart thermostat) to save energy?

Pollution Reduction

Eco-friendly cleaning products are used in housekeeping/back-of-house.

EV charging is available on site OR there is a formal partnership/wayfinding for nearby EV charging for guests.

Bike racks are available for guests/staff.

Vendor/delivery schedules are consolidated to reduce vehicle trips (delivery windows, fewer trips, consolidated ordering).

Commitment to the Community

Do you purchase at least 50% of products from local or regional suppliers?

Do you pay for employee community service hours?

Do you donate to or sponsor community organizations, programs or events?

Do you donate unconsumed, perishable food to a shelter/nonprofit on a regular basis?

Have you added Green Crown/sustainability practices to employee training (recycling, turning off lights, etc.)?

Certification Commitment (Acknowledgement)

If certified, we commit to:

  • Display the Green Crown certificate in our establishment
  • Display the Green Crown decal on a door/window
  • Post at least once per year on social media about our Green Crown certification

Do you acknowledge that commitment?

Do you know any other businesses who may want to be a part of the Green Crown Program?

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