Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano Encourages More Businesses To Join Sustainability Challenge

VIENNA, VA — Nine Vienna businesses and organizations were honored by Town Council Monday for their work to adopt environmentally-friendly practices.

Vienna's Conservation and Sustainability Commission holds the Sustainability Challenge each year, inviting businesses to use sustainable practices in one or more areas: energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction, transportation, and purchasing. Organizations become certified by evaluating their current practices and documenting the sustainable practices they adopt.

The 2023 Sustainability Awards were presented by commission member Bill Comerford. Two businesses were named 2023 Sustainability Champions for completing all five categories — C&C Garage, and Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano.

Other awardees were Body Grace Yoga, Vienna Assembly of God, Vienna Vintner, Vienna Presbyterian Church, Hawk & Griffin, Sundown & Rise Up, and Trace The Zero Waste Store. This was the second year Trace The Zero Waste Store, which opened in 2021, qualified.

Cindy Weinberg, another commission member, presented a statement from Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano's owner Nancy Sabbagh and Chef Roberto Donna, who opened their restaurant on Church Street in early 2022. The couple encouraged other businesses to join the Sustainability Challenge.

"They said that it's easy, and all the businesses in Vienna should really be working and probably are doing these sustainability things, they are probably just not aware," said Weinberg. "It's easy, so make your best effort, and we should all be running our businesses this way."

Comerford said the Vienna Conservation and Sustainability Commission was created to promote sustainability in the town.

But what does sustainability mean exactly?

"It's a way of living that allows current communities to meet their needs, without compromising the future generations," Comerford said. "So we like what we like today. Let's not compromise, let's do everything we can to keep the character of the town, 30, 40, 50 years from now."

Ahead of Earth Day, residents could learn about sustainable practices they could use in their homes at Vienna's Green Expo. But Vienna's businesses also play a role in promoting sustainable living.

"Vienna businesses and nonprofit organizations are a big part of that sustainable future," Comerford said. "And the town wants to encourage that and recognize organizations as we're doing [Monday], as they strive to improve the public's quality through economic, social and environmentally sustainable actions and activities."

Businesses and organizations can learn more about the Sustainability Challenge on the town's website.