Aspen's Jimmy's Scores First Ever Award at Tales of the Cocktail

Last week, Tales of the Cocktail awarded the first-ever Sustainable Spirit Awards to Jimmy's. The Aspen bar and restaurant was honored at the New Orleans event for its leadership in sustainability. Other inaugural winners of the award include: White Lyan in London, Tin Roof Drink Community, Mario Batali's Carnevino Italian Steakhouse in Las Vegas, and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) in Guyana, South America.

The committee in charge of the awards looked for bars, restaurants, and distilleries that have shown a commitment to sustainability efforts while instituting innovative ideas that could serve as a model for bars around the world. The winners used a wide range of techniques to reduce waste, conserve energy, and use less water.

For its part, Jimmy's sources products from recycled materials, invested in custom, locally-made hardwood tables that do not require linens, has done away with plastic straws and paper towels, installed energy efficient lighting, and ceased printing multiple receipt copies.

"We could not have achieved the results in reducing waste without the enthusiastic cooperation of our staff. It is they who diligently execute these programs on a daily basis," says Jimmy Yeager, who has been welcoming guests to his establishment for 19 years. "

The restaurant also supports local farmers and serves as a pick up location for non-packaged produce from a community supported agricultural program.
A building-wide composting contract leaves only two percent of the restaurant's waste heading to the landfill.