Yelp Adds Eco-Friendly Business Attributes

Business directory and crowdsourced review forum Yelp teamed up with the Plastic Pollution Coalition on new searchable business attributes that will enable consumers using the Yelp platform to discover and connect with eco-friendly businesses, as well as support those that have adopted sustainable business practices. New eco-friendly attributes will be highlighted on Yelp search results and business pages, sourced from both business owners and consumers. Yelp explained in a blog post Wednesday, “Millions of people come to Yelp to find great local businesses that align with their preferences and values—from eating at restaurants that are Open to All, to patronizing cocktail bars with gender-neutral restrooms, to supporting women-owned retailers, and more. Relatedly, today more than ever, consumers are seeking businesses that prioritize sustainability to help reduce their environmental footprint. Adopting more eco-friendly business practices and consumer habits have never been more important, which is why we're working with Plastic Pollution Coalition, ReThink Disposable (Clean Water Fund), Surfrider Foundation, Upstream, Reusable LA and others to double down on our commitment to sustainability this Earth Day.” The new eco-friendly business attributes on Yelp include: Bring your own container allowed (available for restaurant and food businesses)Compostable containers available (available for restaurant and food businesses)EV charging station available (available to many categories on Yelp including active life, arts, banks, education, food, hotels, pets, restaurants, shopping and venues)Plastic-free packaging (available for restaurant and food businesses, as well as applicable shopping businesses)Provides reusable tableware (available for restaurant and food businesses) Existing relevant attributed, such as bike parking and vegan, will also be searchable. On the user side, eco-friendly attributed will be listed in the “Amenities and more” sections on Yelp.com or the “Info” section on its Android and iOS applications, as well as highlighted on business listings in applicable search. Business owners can add these attributes to their pages free-of-charge by logging into their business account and editing their “Business Information” section, and Yelp said it is surveying consumers to help inform these attributes through “Update the community” questions on Yelp business pages. Plastic Pollution Coalition co-founder and CEO Dianna Cohen said in a statement, “The new Yelp sustainability attributes will allow people to more easily find eateries, bars and cafes that are plastic free and support our values of thriving communities and a healthy, livable planet. We’re grateful that Yelp is using its platform in this way, and we’re excited that the new attributes will help more sustainable businesses stand out for their green practices.” Yelp also teamed up with environmental nonprofits including Plastic Pollution Coalition, ReThink Disposable (Clean Water Fund), Reusable LA, Surfrider Foundation and Upstream on a new Sustainability Resource Hub for business owners interested in accessing information and tools on how to transition to an eco-friendlier operation. During the month of April, Yelp’s community team is partnering with businesses to host more than 35 local community events across Canada and the U.S., with activities including public park cleanups, sustainable self-care workshops and vegan-focused meal experiences. And from Wednesday (April 13) through the month of May, the Yelp Foundation will double-match employee donations to nonprofits including Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Climate Emergency Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Plant for the Planet, Plastic Pollution Coalition and World Wide Fund for Nature. Yelp concluded in its blog post, “Looking ahead, Yelp has also committed to conducting a climate assessment in 2022 to better understand and quantify the company’s environmental impact. Our new eco-friendly business attributes, business resources, community events and more are the latest steps from Yelp as we strive to continue to do our part to encourage and support business owners, consumers and employees to take action in the fight against climate change.”

Sustainability News

Yelp Adds Eco-Friendly Business Attributes

The business directory and crowdsourced review forum teamed up with environmental nonprofits on a Sustainability Resource Hub

David Cohen

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