One cheeseburger with extra pickles, mayo and ketchup, please. 

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability are growing topics in the world today. It was only recently that websites allowed us to count our carbon footprint based on the utilities we use and the food we eat. But these are just mere estimations based on our subjective perception of how much we consumer each day.

What if I said that, today, we are able to count the carbon footprint in the food we eat? Crazy right? Well, it just so happens to be true.

Carbon footprint of a burger, anyone?

Otarian is on a green mission! This fast-food restaurant in London that has allowed us to measure the carbon in the food we eat. Items in Otarian’s vegetarian menu were selectively chosen based on the ingredients’ environmental sustainability. The carbon measurement takes into consideration 1) how the ingredient was grown and 2) how it is thrown away. Following the carbon measurement, it is compared to its fast-food alternative, in Otarian’s menu, and customers are informed of how much they save from eating at Otarian. The fast-food restaurant has gone through great lengths to emphasize their cause. Even their restaurant design is environmentally friendly such that:

–  tables are made out of recyclable plastic

–  chairs are made off sustainable bamboo

–  packaging are recyclable

–  electricity is from green energy, from suppliers who also do the same

This is a very innovative idea, which targets not only vegetarians but everyone who eats fast-foods. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the carbon we consume daily, especially in routine activities we do, such as eating. So… “Would you like to know your carbon footprint with that?”