Living and Working
SUSTAINABLY in Squirrel Hill By Melissa Eppihimer
SUSTAINABILITY IS A MAJOR FOCUS FOR MANY
and services are
COMMUNITIES these days, including Pittsburgh.
the core of their
Chatham University runs the Falk School of
identity. Here, we
Sustainability & Environment. Mayor Gainey put
highlight neighborhood
environmental justice at the center of his vision
businesses that are
for a sustainable city. Pittsburgh Public Schools is
integrating sustainability into their operations and
reviewing its lunch program to promote environmental
suggest ways that you, too, can live more sustainably.
sustainability, among other goals.
SUSTAINABILITY, CERTIFIED
But what exactly is sustainability? And how does it
Diners who want to patronize restaurants that value
work? Quite literally, sustainability is the capacity of
sustainability can look for the logo of the Sustainable
something to endure. In current usage, it refers to
Pittsburgh Restaurant program, which certifies
behaviors that create a healthy environment, a thriving
restaurants that adopt “environmentally and socially
economy, and a vital society. When these three
responsible methods.” In Squirrel Hill, nine restaurants
pillars are supported simultaneously, the benefits are
have achieved one of the program’s four levels of
widespread.
recognition (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze) by demonstrating sustainable choices in these operating In Squirrel Hill, sustainability functions in obvious ways, like pedestrian- and bike-friendly pathways, access to public
areas: waste reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, people, nutrition, and product sourcing. Guests at Rita’s, for example, can enjoy frozen custard while knowing that the shop takes recyclable materials to Construction Junction.
transportation, and a public library.
Beyond their social and environmental benefits, many
Behind the scenes,
of the actions recognized by the Sustainable Pittsburgh
local businesses are
Restaurant program are good business practices.
elevating people and
According to Cathy Willis, manager of Aiello’s Pizza,
planet as part of their
the restaurant had long been implementing certain
commercial practices, and for some, sustainable goods
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sustainable practices, but a remodel in 2017 provided the opportunity to meet even more goals. Aiello’s
