Richard AgamaBuilding a sustainable business benefits everyone. You enjoy the financial gains of reduced waste and increased energy efficiency. Customers get to support a business that strives to protect the planet and make the community a cleaner place. With eco-consciousness becoming more popular among patrons, restaurants are looking for environmentally friendly practices to adopt. Establishing green business policies means changing the way you run your kitchen. You can invest in new equipment, revolutionize your daily routine, or even change the items on your menu. Decrease your carbon footprint and become an example of eco-friendliness in your community with these ways to make your restaurant more sustainable.
Invest in Eco-Friendly Equipment
The tools you use play a large role in the environmental impact of your business. This is particularly true in a restaurant, where kitchen appliances can use a lot of electricity and water. Invest in eco-friendly appliances that preserve energy. An energy-efficient dishwasher will reduce the amount of water your kitchen uses every day. Large appliances aren’t the only equipment you can change, though. Replacing paper products with washable serving trays and utensils will eliminate a lot of your daily waste. It’s also a good idea to invest in environmentally friendly cleaning products. Avoid harsh chemicals that release toxins into the air. Keep an eye out for cleaning products with a Green Seal label or an Environmental Choice Program label.
Get Smart About Waste
It’s impossible to completely eliminate waste, but you can cut down on it with a few smart practices. Recycle materials as much as you can, and train employees on best practices to maximize your recycling. Restaurants also have the unique opportunity to compost food scraps rather than throwing them out, keeping more trash out of landfills. You should also think about ways to preserve or reuse certain materials. Carefully monitor and circulate perishable items to eliminate food waste. Come up with creative strategies for excess ingredients—such as ways to reuse juice pulp in other recipes—to minimize the amount of food you throw away.
Think Local
Shipping and transportation play a huge role in environmental damage. When you purchase ingredients and other supplies from faraway vendors, those supplies have to travel hundreds of thousands of miles by plane or ship. The emissions from these vehicles are harmful to the environment. That’s why one of the best ways to make your restaurant more sustainable is to purchase from local farmers and suppliers who won’t produce a lot of carbon emissions from shipping and transporting their goods. In addition to lowering your carbon footprint, you support other businesses in your community and boost the local economy. Plus, purchasing local produce, meat, and other ingredients guarantees better quality products for your restaurant. If the fact that you support other local businesses doesn’t draw loyal patrons to your doors, the difference in taste when you serve fresh, in-season foods will.
