点废成绿 Greening the Beige (GtB) is an eco-minded arts collective and not-for-profit community network dedicated to nurturing awareness of environmental issues. 点废成绿 GtB promotes and celebrates earth friendly artists and organizations in Beijing.
"Why are we being forced to choose between the economy and the environment? We tend to forget that without an environment we would not have an economy, as everything we consume and I mean everything comes from our environment."
~ Franke James (contemporary artist, photographer, writer)
Beijing's landfills are getting full fast! Reduce the "trash" you throw away by purchasing products with minimal packaging. Look for reusable, recyclable, and biodegrable items and remember to carry your reusable shopping bags!
I, like many green folks, would like to be a vegetarian, if only to be consistent as an environmentalist. There’s nothing worse than someone disregarding your views just because you order steak instead of salad. I find myself telling people that “I’m a vegetarian in my heart and at home” and that “China just makes it too hard for you”. But thanks to The Veggie Table I’m finding myself running out of excuses. Located at 19 Wudaoying hutong (五道营胡同), next to the Natooke fixed gear shop, this is arguably the best western style vegan restaurant in Beijing.
Talking with Lara, the head chef at The Veggie Table, it’s clear that no corners have been cut in creating the predominantly homemade menu. With a love for food and a deep understanding of veganism, the philosophy of minimal impact is followed in every aspect of the company. Employing locally sourced products whenever possible, the restaurant ensures that the surrounding businesses will rise alongside it. When asking for tomato sauce you’ll be offered homemade organic vegan mayonnaise - an offer I recommend you accept. By the sink are placed recycled napkins, a sign offering free water bottle refills and another suggesting that you bring your own takeaway containers.
From vegan cakes to handmade vegan pasta and daily organic specials, an effort is made to keep the production of food within the four walls of The Veggie Table - something that has proved difficult, as the initial success of the restaurant has attracted the attention of those who would aim to replicate the menu for their own benefits. However, despite any attempts to create similar food, The Veggie Table is not so easily replaceable. Acting as a centre for vegan enlightenment and a community space welcoming earth-friendly, environmental people, the restaurant houses a unique atmosphere within Beijing.
On Monday nights The Veggie Table hosts their share of the worldwide movement ‘Meatless Mondays’, encouraging people to look beyond meat by giving out samples of their home made vegan food. Accompanied by a 20% discount on alcohol, the first day of the week is most definitely a day worth having your first ‘gateway meal’.
Unfortunately, for those of us with shallower pockets, the ingredients and effort put into The Veggie Table’s menu come with a hefty price tag, by Chinese standards. There’s no doubt that you get what you pay for, however for some, the restaurant may not be suitable for providing your daily bread.
It is, however, possible to bring the vegan philosophy to your own kitchen by ordering organic vegetables from Little Donkey Farm through the restaurant, which acts as a pick up point. Come in person or call either The Veggie Table or Little Donkey Farm to order seasonal, local, organic vegetables; then pick them up on Wednesday or Saturday.
Links
The Veggie Table - +86(10)64462073
Little Donkey Farm - littledonkeyfarm@163.com
Meat Free Mondays
Natooke
Agenda Magazine – The Veggie Table
