NEW YORK -- Starting April 22, Citysearch, a popular online local guide, began featuring Certified Green Restaurant badges on its business listings nationwide, the Green Restaurant Association (G.R.A.) announced. With the launch of a new search filter, users can now sort by Certified Green Restaurants to find local restaurants with the Certification seal.

The G.R.A., which is a national non-profit organization, will help Citysearch bring transparent, real green information to their users, according to a news release.

"Gone are the days of simply searching for a great-date restaurant, or an Italian fine-dining location in your neighborhood," said Michael Oshman, G.R.A. founder and chief executive officer. "Consumers want to know what their green dining options are."

To earn the Certified Green Restaurant distinction, restaurants must meet the requirements of the G.R.A.’s points-based program: Accumulate a total of 100 points, meet minimum points in six of the seven environmental categories, have a full-scale recycling program, be free of polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam), and complete the G.R.A.'s yearly education requirement.

The Green Restaurant Association claims it is the only official certifier of Green Restaurants in the country. The national non-profit organization was founded in 1990 to shift the restaurant industry toward ecological sustainability.