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The world is dying! This isn’t the battle cry but an urgency. However, this time, it’s the hospitality sector screeching in the name of a healthy planet. When it comes to the sustainability movement, it’s not a fad anymore; it’s here to stay for a long time. Everyone is getting affected by it, from businesses to private citizens. As one of the restaurateurs wondering how to make your restaurant environmentally friendly for the customers, you’re at the right place.
In the blog, we’ll guide you through some positives of becoming an eco-friendly restaurant and the methods and initiatives one can take to go greener.
Integrating green practices in restaurants and cafes does not help the environment alone – it also assists a restaurant directly. A significant part of the impact such setups have on the environment is directly related to the waste they produce in the shape of leftovers. Minimizing food waste can boost profits since you’re no longer draining money.
Moreover, restaurant sustainability practices such as purchasing eco-friendly restaurant equipment and supplies might initially seem more expensive. Still, they’ll pay off towards the end of the tenure. Furthermore, they would alleviate the bills of electricity, gas, and water, making the initial capital and investment worth it.
People have recently begun to embrace sustainability in hospitality outlets like cafes, spas, and restaurants. Moreover, according to the2014 Cone Communications Trend Tracker of Food Issues, around 75% of American consumers agreed that sustainability is one of the essential factors when purchasing food. In addition, another global research by Oracle states that eco-friendly initiatives like zero-emission deliveries or reducing food waste considerably impact people’s purchasing decisions. In other words, if you’re a serious contender in sustainable practices and activities, you’re more likely to dine in a setup with eco-friendly restaurant supplies.
In the end, why should you educate yourself on how to make a restaurant sustainable or environmentally friendly? Well, the answer is for the plant. If you did not know, there are over 1 million restaurants and cafes in the US alone. Every year, they consume unprecedented amounts of water and produce immense carbon dioxide and waste.
With this rate and more restaurants being introduced every year, their impact on the environment will only rise. However, one can implement eco friendly products for restaurant to make a slight change to the usual times. Remember, even the tiniest of changes begin with you.
Eco friendly restaurants need to observe the value of buying local ingredients and seasonal menus. An ideal way to promote eco-friendly restaurant supplies is to use products of their respective seasons. The advantages of a seasonal restaurant menu are endless. Besides, you will constantly provide your customers with something new every time they step in. Moreover, the ingredients will be fresher, tastier, and cheaper, and you will invest less money in them.
Furthermore, in case you purchase the ingredients locally, you could alleviate carbon emissions from transportation, lowering your carbon footprint on the planet. Consider trying to grow your ingredients in the backyard. If you’re a little bit confused, try making your sauces using organic and fresh ingredients you purchase from local vendors. Visitors love authenticity when it concerns food.
Experts have tried and tested this for years. And, if you’re still unsure, Gordon Ramsey has promoted this idea in kitchen nightmares several times. While at it, do not forget to mark your ingredients as local while designing a menu. Simply use adjectives like “seasonal,” “locally sourced,” “organic,” or “free-range.” This can do wonders for your eco friendly restaurants.
Food waste and loss in restaurants is a significant global issue. Meanwhile, according to a few reports, the US wastes nearly 60 million tons of food annually. Also, theGRA released that an average restaurant wastes 20,000 to 70,000 pounds of food annually. So, if you are one of the eco friendly restaurants, here are a few steps in the rundown that explain how to reduce and manage your food waste.
In this modern era, using digital inventory management can ensure lesser wastage. Moreover, such tools are valuable as they allow you to have a real-time look at a comprehensive list you do not get over orders.
Most food waste occurs when one doesn’t keep track of expiry dates. If you wish to alleviate it, experts recommend highlighting the expiry dates and ensuring that the chefs only use those closest to expiring.
If you are taking the food out or want it to be delivered, eco friendly restaurant supplies in the shape of takeout containers can help substantially. Foam containers are manufactured from bagasse and are biodegradable, compostable, and microwave-safe. Some eco friendly restaurants also prefer portable, to-go containers crafted with bamboo paper. Well, the choice is all yours.
We do not need a disclaimer that water is an essential asset. And, when the truth bites deep, we need water conservation systems while running eco friendly restaurants. But, what can be done to increase water efficiency and conserve water resources our Mother Earth has?
When it comes to eco friendly products for restaurant, what do you think of? Since food is vitally important in this case, would it hurt to offer organic food to your guests? Serving organic food can earn you the accolades of being one of the environment and eco friendly restaurants. However, there’s a slight twist. Sustainability and organic food are not synonymous. As a result, you must think of other ways of balancing the act.