Over the past eighteen months, it’s become clear that supporting local and being sustainable is more important than ever. We’ve all been through a lot, but giving business to Alberta-born companies while helping protect Mother Earth is no longer just a trend, it’s a necessity of the future. One such company, ECO DINE, is doing both, by working for and with Alberta restaurants to accomplish sustainability goals we can all be proud of.
Let’s check them out!
ECO DINE is a Calgary-based, female-led company (in a male dominated space, no less) that began in 2011 and has since become the province’s leading worry-free used cooking oil collection service. What the heck is that? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like! ECO DINE collects used cooking oil from Alberta restaurants, then recycles it into very useful products with zero waste.
It’s the most ethical and sustainable way to recycle cooking oil, but here’s the kicker: ECO DINE keeps the entire process, from collecting to recycling to refining into new products, right here in Alberta!
Yep, that’s right. When nearly all other competitors are dishing out the bi-products of this recycled oil to other provinces or out of the country, ECO DINE keeps it all here in Alberta.
Through that, they’ve been able to refine products for use in the renewable energy sector of biofuels, and aid in the sustainability of Alberta’s agriculture, which helps our very own food chain and supply. Think of ECO DINE as a big recycling circle, not wasting a single thing through the process and keeping ALL of the money right here in Alberta.
On top of it all, President & CEO Azra Hussein, who was born and raised in Calgary, has made a conscious effort for ECO DINE to be a beacon of positivity in the city’s business community. It’s already sustainable and Alberta-focused, but ECO DINE is also an important partner of both The Boys and Girls Club and Havens Way Foundation, making its stamp as an inspirational business in the Calgary area.
Obviously, this incredible service has led to very impressive partnerships with some of the most prominent restaurants and hospitality groups in the province. Which ones? We’re glad you asked, because here’s the list:
- Blanco
- Vintage Group
- Brewsters
- Chinook Centre
- Home and Away
- Joey’s Seafood/StrEATS/Joey’s Fish Shack
- Last Best
- Ship and Anchor
- St. James Corner
- Leopold’s Tavern
- The Park Kitchen/The Station Pub/Penny Black
- River Cafe/Deane House
- YYC Food Trucks
- Saddledome
- Southcentre
- Group 933
- Concorde Group
- Creative Restaurant Group
- Thank you Hospitality/A1
Woah, that covers nearly all of the most popular and loved spots in the city! The best part is, you can now enjoy these places even more knowing that they’re part of a process that isn’t just great for the environment, but is great for Alberta’s economy as well.
And that’s really what ECO DINE is all about. They love being Albertan, love supporting other Alberta-based businesses, and truly care about the environment and how we can protect it. Even more, they’ve got a pretty dynamite Instagram account that highlights their partners dishes, which is essentially just a foodie’s dream.
If that isn’t a local company to fall in love with, we’re not sure what is.
For more information on ECO DINE and for ideas on how to make your life a little more sustainable, check them out online here.
Support local and let’s help the planet, folks!
