4 Ways To Make A Restaurant Sustainable
There are many ways to make a restaurant sustainable, some more obvious than others.
There are options like locally sourcing ingredients which has a multitude of benefits. However, integrating energy efficiency and managing business water will also help cut down costs in the long run.
Let’s discuss why a sustainable restaurant business is important and what you can do to implement these practices.
Why is Sustainability in Restaurants Important?
By adopting sustainable practices, you're not only reducing your ecological footprint but also enhancing your brand's loyalty and appeal.
Sustainable practices can also lead to good cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource conservation.
Sustainable restaurants are in a good position to adapt to regulatory changes and shifting consumer demands.
1. Energy Efficient Practices
Energy-efficient practices will lower your restaurant's utility bills and carbon footprint. But how do you do this?
Consider your lighting. Switching to LED bulbs reduces energy use, and they last longer, so you're not just cutting down on energy costs but replacement costs as well.
Opt for those with an Energy Star rating to guarantee they meet energy efficiency standards.
Your heating and cooling systems will have a big impact too. Look into installing programmable thermostats, which will allow you to control temperatures more accurately and avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when the restaurant is closed.
2. Reducing Food Waste
Reducing food waste should already be a given within restaurants, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, or in some cases could be improved slightly.
Keep track of what gets thrown away and why. You'll likely discover that much of the waste comes from over-preparing or from customer plates.
To combat this, initiate a portion control strategy. Analyse your sales data to identify which dishes are frequently left uneaten or partially eaten and adjust the portion sizes accordingly.
If you’re a takeaway restaurant, portion size options can also encourage your customers to choose according to their appetite.
Educating your staff on the importance of managing resources will help make sure they share the same values as your business.
3. Food and Beverage Water Management
Every drop counts and there are numerous ways you can optimise food and beverage water management.
Low-flow faucets and toilets in your restrooms and kitchen will reduce water usage without impacting functionality.
Detecting leaks early on and repairing them will save a fortune on monthly water costs.
When it comes to cleaning, use up-to-date, water-efficient dishwashers and encourage your staff to scrape rather than rinse dishes before loading them. Small workflow changes like this save gallons with every wash cycle.
4. Eco-Friendly Packaging
You've probably noticed how much waste comes from the typical restaurant. It's not just about food; the packaging can pile up too.
You can make a big difference by switching to materials that are kinder to our planet.
Use biodegradable or compostable containers and utensils instead of plastic. Plant-based materials like cornstarch, bamboo, or sugarcane are just as sturdy but won't stick around for centuries.
Becoming A Sustainable Restaurant
Becoming a sustainable restaurant doesn’t have to be difficult. In most cases, it’s the simple and cost-effective solutions that make the biggest difference.
Joining the Sustainable Restaurant Association
Joining the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) offers your restaurant benefits by connecting you with a global network of nearly 1,000 food service operators and suppliers dedicated to sustainability.
Here, you’ll pick up lots of good habits, advice, and best of all, become an accredited Food Made Good Standard restaurant.
