How scoring works
The Ocean Conscious score blends what the restaurant reports about its own practices with ratings from people who have eaten there. Higher means less single-use plastic and more sustainable operations.
From practice to score
- 1
The restaurant declares what it does
Either through the Surfrider certification program, or when someone adds the restaurant and records which practices it follows. This is the owner-declared half of the score.
- 2
People who ate there confirm or contradict it
Diners rate the same fourteen practices from what they actually saw. Community ratings are averaged per practice, so one dissenting answer does not swing a listing.
- 3
The two are blended 70 / 30
Owner-declared data carries 70% of the weight and community ratings 30%. Owners know their own operations; diners keep that honest.
- 4
Breadth earns a bonus
A restaurant meeting ten or more practices scores higher than the weighted average alone would give it, because doing many things partially is not the same as doing a few things well.
Reading a score
Ocean Conscious score
88 / 100Meets 11 of 14
An example listing. The number is out of 100, and “Meets 11 of 14” counts the practices confirmed for that restaurant.
Why five waves are not five twenties
Every restaurant in the directory has already cleared certification, so scores in practice run from about 66 to 100 — never lower. Splitting 0–100 evenly would render almost everything as four or five waves and tell you nothing. The bands below are the real quintile boundaries across the directory, so each one holds roughly a fifth of restaurants.
- – 100
- –
- –
- –
- Below –
The fourteen practices
Plastic Reduction
Efforts to reduce use of single-use plastics.
- Free of Single-Use PlasticCounts 1.0 times toward the Plastic Reduction score
They’ve committed to eliminating all single-use plastic or so-called “bioplastics” that still pollute our environment.
- Free of Styrofoam/PolystyreneCounts 1.0 times toward the Plastic Reduction score
This business doesn’t use harmful Styrofoam (polystyrene) for takeout or packaging — great for the planet and your health.
- Free of Plastic BagsCounts 1.0 times toward the Plastic Reduction score
You won’t find plastic bags here — they offer paper, reusable, or compostable alternatives instead.
- Concessions are free of PlasticCounts 0.8 times toward the Plastic Reduction score
Snacks, sides, and grab-and-go items are served without plastic — even in quick-service areas.
Foodware
Reusable and sustainable foodware options.
- Offers Only Reusable FoodwareCounts 1.2 times toward the Foodware score
All dine-in food and drink is served with reusable plates, cups, and utensils — no waste, just taste.
- Single-Use Items Upon Request,Counts 0.8 times toward the Foodware score
They don’t hand out disposable items unless you ask — reducing waste while still giving you a choice. #StopTheStuff
- Offers Paper StrawsCounts 0.8 times toward the Foodware score
They’ve ditched plastic straws in favor of paper ones or offer reusable alternatives — a small change with big impact.
Waste Management
Waste management actions like recycling and composting.
- Has CompostingCounts 1.0 times toward the Waste Management score
Food scraps and compostable items are sent to compost, not the trash — a cleaner, greener choice.
- Has Proper RecyclingCounts 1.0 times toward the Waste Management score
This business separates recyclables and disposes of them responsibly — helping reduce landfill waste.
Sustainability
General sustainability efforts.
- Energy Efficiency Efforts In PlaceCounts 0.9 times toward the Sustainability score
They’ve taken steps to reduce energy use — saving power and lowering emissions.
- Supports Seafood SustainabilityCounts 1.0 times toward the Sustainability score
Only sustainably-sourced seafood is served here — protecting our oceans and fisheries.
- Water Conservation Efforts in PlaceCounts 0.9 times toward the Sustainability score
From the kitchen to the restrooms, they take care to conserve water where possible.
- Offers Vegetarian and Vegan OptionsCounts 0.8 times toward the Sustainability score
Offering plant-based meals that are better for you and the planet.
- Provides a Reusable Item DiscountCounts 0.7 times toward the Sustainability score
Bring your own cup or container? You’ll get a discount — rewarding sustainable habits!