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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification is the national standard for recognizing green buildings and businesses. (Photo courtesy Square 1682)

Square 1682, the restaurant at Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, is the first restaurant in Philadelphia to achieve LEED certification at any level.

The certification, which became official this fall, is also noteworthy because not only is it the first LEED-certified restaurant for Philadelphia, it is also the first LEED-certified restaurant for Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, a national company that has long been on the forefront of sustainable hospitality.

Both Square 1682 and the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia have been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications at the Gold level by the U.S. Green Building Council. (Which also makes it the first LEED-certified hotel for both Philadelphia and Kimpton.)

Mayor Nutter called the accomplishment “a shining gold star in Philadelphia’s effort to become America’s Greenest City by 2015.” We couldn’t agree more.

To achieve LEED certification, design and operations are measured in multiple categories: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources. Hotel Palomar fills and exceeds the necessary qualifications, boasting daylight in 90% of all hotel spaces, reducing water usage by 20%, having at least 10% recycled content in its design, and purchasing renewable energy credits equivalent to two years’ power demand.

Square 1682 is as equally proud a proponent of the Kimpton company’s EarthCare program as the hotel in which it is located. Square 1682′s eco-conscious practices are manifold: the restaurant recycles all excess cooking oils and grease into bio-diesel fuels; prints its menus on recycled paper with soy ink and filters; and filters and bottles its own water. Plus, Chef Guillermo Tellez utilizes seasonal, organic produce and meats purchased from local growers and farmers whenever possible.

It’s great to see Square 1682 spearheading efforts at sustainable dining in Philadelphia, something that’s certainly visible at a number of restaurants in and around Philadelphia but never before to this accredited extent.

We can’t wait to see what future Philadelphia restaurants set out to follow Square 1682′s lead (get it?).

Check out a more comprehensive list of the green efforts at Square 1682 below.

• All excess cooking oils and grease are recycled into bio-diesel fuels.

• Chef Tellez utilizes seasonal, organic produce and meats purchased from local growers and farmers whenever possible.

• When selecting fish for the menu, Chef Tellez adheres to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program standards.

• All beef is source-verified 100% Angus and tested to be BSE-free.

• The restaurant filters and bottles its own water with the Natura Water Purification system.

• They serve organic coffee, tea and juices, and the wine list features many organic and biodynamic selections.

• Energy-efficient lighting is used in kitchen areas and low-energy LED lighting is used for all exit lights.

• They use low-flow dishwashing spray valves and faucet aerators in bathrooms and hand-wash stations.

• Square 1682 uses only biodegradable detergents and cleaning supplies.

• They recycle all glass, paper, cardboard, corks and aluminum, and do not use Styrofoam for any purpose.

• All take-out containers and utensils are biodegradable and made from unbleached, recycled content.

• All menus are printed on recycled paper with soy ink wherever possible.

Square 1682
121 S. 17th Street
www.square1682.com