More than a 100 Providence restaurants, ranging from Alforno to Mekong Restaurant, have already joined the Green Dining Network, in addition to larger organizations such as the Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence Place Mall and RISD.

The City of Providence currently purchases Biodiesel for use in more than 30 trucks in the Public Works, Parks and Recreation departments. This is in addition to a series of sustainable practices adopted as part of the Mayor's GreenPrint Providence initiative.

"We are grateful to the Mayor and the hundreds of restaurant partners that recognize that partnership with Newport Biodiesel helps to fuel a greener, healthier Rhode Island," said Chris Benzak, Managing Partner at Newport Biodiesel.

Representatives from Newport Biodiesel were on hand to demonstrate the collection process using one of their specially designed pump trucks.

About Providence's green initiatives:

Mayor Cicilline has launched numerous initiatives aimed at creating new "green collar" jobs and reducing the City's carbon footprint.

Greenprint Providence is the City's comprehensive strategic plan for this effort; Mayor Cicilline's Green Jobs Corps and a variety of public-private partnerships are providing the training and placement services to steer residents to good green jobs;
The City of Providence is aggressively pursuing the growth of the green sector, especially in the "green corridor" at the Olneyville end of Promenade, which is home to United Natural Foods, Alteris Renewables, and Ecolect; Green Up Providence is the citywide initiative to double the recycling rate and save taxpayer money.