Nomad Cafe's Green Practices

Solid waste reduction

• Use of non-disposable dishes in-house
• Use of fully biodegradable, non-petroleum-derived packaging and cups for to-go orders (commercial composting provided by Norcal Waste Systems and Jepson Prairie Organics)
• Implementation of take-out packaging surcharges has diminished demand for non-reusable cups and containers

Recycled/Reused Products

• All menus, event calendars, and office printing utilize 30% to 100% post-consumer content recycled paper
• Paper goods such as coffee cup sleeves, hand towels, napkins and toilet paper are natural and made of post-consumer fiber
• 95% of waste is composted or recycled. Customers sort their own waste into composting and recycling bins. We keep our coffee grinds in separate bins and make them available to customers, who use them as nutrient-rich soil amendment for their houseplants and gardens. The coffee grinds deter slugs, ants and aphids (ants "protect and promote" aphids)
• All leftover bread and pastries are donated to a North Oakland women's shelter

Energy Assessment/Use Reduction

• Title 24 compliant for lighting (remaining under a certain total wattage usage based on square footage)
• Dimmers used on all lights except where prohibited by Electrical code (bathroom, storage room)
• T-8 fluorescent lighting with electronic ballast used in storage room, resulting in up to 40% less energy consumption than conventional T-12 systems
• Use of extremely energy-efficient closed-loop hydronic floor heating system, with a programmable thermostat for further efficiency. Concrete floor is extremely conductive and further increases efficiency
• Use of extremely efficient Low-E (low emittance) glass panes across all exterior walls, resulting in reduction of heat transfer. This keeps hot sun from overheating the interior during warm weather, which prevents the need for energy-wasting cooling systems. It also keeps in the heat generated by the hydronic heating system, resulting in even further efficiency increases in terms of maintaining warmth during cool weather
• Use of extremely energy-efficient Takagi TK-2 tankless (on-demand) water heater
• Use of automatic timer to control lighting of exterior signage

Water Conservation

• Use of a water-conserving dishwasher, with a short 90-second, high-heat cycle
• Use of low-flow aerators on all sink taps
• Use of flow inhibitor on hand-washing sink (flow only begins when lever is pressed to side, and automatically stops when hand is removed)
• Use of ultra-low-flow toilet (1.6 gallons per flush)
• Use of air-cooled equipment instead of water-cooled equipment (for equipment such as icemaker)
• Use of "self-service" water containers (pitchers) at counter, so that only customers who want water actually receive it
• Use of dry surface cleaning methods, followed by damp mopping or wiping
• We do not hose off our rubber kitchen mats at the curbside, like most businesses, as this wastes water, contaminates the storm drain and pollutes our bay and creeks. Instead, we wash our mats at a regulated facility, or in a contained basin or tarp, then dispose of the used cleaning water into a sanitary sewer (floor drain)

Housekeeping & Operations Conservation Measures

• See item about rubber mats, above
• Use of a closed chemical delivery system, which restricts the flow of chemical and prevents overuse, as well as limiting spillage. Dispensation into reusable spray bottles. This closed delivery system also provides for employee safety. Chemicals are provided by Ecolab and are all earth-friendly, biodegradable materials
• Use is limited to a few multipurpose cleaners, rather than an overabundance of special-purpose cleaners
• Use of licensed pest control, when necessary, utilizing only non-toxic products such as orange peel extract
• Use of commercial grease trap to restrict passage of grease to wastewater treatment plant
• Use of a cigarette butt can in outdoor smoking areas, to prevent litter flow into storm drain
• Use of dry cleaning methods such as sweeping on sidewalks, rather than spraying, which leads to storm drain contamination
• Baskets used in sink drains to catch compostable solids
• Instructions posted in customer and employee areas to encourage and reinforce proper garbage/compost/recycling sorting

Earth-Friendly Products & Materials

• See item in previous section about use of earth-friendly, biodegradable cleaning materials
• All paint is latex, except the oil-based paint required to paint doors
• All coffee products are Fair Trade, organic and/or shade-grown to provide a living wage to farmers, healthy product to consumers, and non-clearcutting of rainforest canopy. All teas organic, Fair Trade or certification pending
• Use of organic fruits, vegetables and other food ingredients, when possible
• No aerosolized cleaners or room fresheners used
• Recycled building materials used where possible (for instance, stage was built using premium engineered hardwood maple plank flooring by Robbins, a company committed to reforestation and protection of natural woodlands)
• Stainless steel used instead of fiberglass reinforced paneling. Steel tables and chairs used in place of wood furniture
• Chalkboards used for menus rather than toxic markers or vinyl lettering that ends up in landfills

Vehicle pollution prevention

• Staff are hired from the local community and live within walking distance. 75% of staff choose 100% alternative transportation lifestyles over automobile ownership. Cafe purchasing is done locally and is pedal- or pedestrian-powered when possible.
• Customers are encouraged to bike or walk to the cafe. The City of Oakland's bike rack program provided and installed five bike racks in 2005.