Becoming a sustainable restaurant is easier than you think

When it comes to sustainability some people believe it can be a chore... however it couldn’t be more opposite. There are many ways that a business can become more sustainable, save the environment and save money too.

Simple things such as replacing your regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) can make a massive impact on your business's carbon footprint. CFLs may initially cost more, but become less expensive in the long run because they last so much longer than regular light bulbs. Additionally, CFLs are up to four times more efficient, meaning you can replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 22-watt CFL and your venue will still have the same amount of light.

Find out 6 ways your restaurant can become more sustainable for free!

Recycling is an incredibly easy way of reducing waste and saving your business money, using separate bins for glass, food waste and recyclables may sound like a hassle but it really doesn’t have to be! 

Just put multiple bins in your glass room and kitchen, to make it easy for staff to separate waste. Most restaurants pay to have their rubbish taken away, so separating recyclables can dramatically reduce the amount of general waste a business is producing and in turn reduce the cost of removal. With green incentives spreading through the nation, many businesses are finding that ‘going green’ is also boosting customer rapport and creating a positive image for their business.

Find out 3 ways your restaurant can reduce food waste

Many products can also have an adverse effect on the sustainability of your business, such as straws and food packaging. The simplest way of reducing the effects these items have on the environment is by operating an ‘on request’ policy. Serve your drinks without straws, unless customers request one. 

If a customer would like something to take away, opt for biodegradable or paper alternatives, just in a box rather than a bag too. Both will dramatically reduce waste, but many businesses are finding that because they are giving out less of these items, they are spending a lot less on them too. Similarly, using bulk bought items like sugar (served in sugar bowls rather than individually wrapped), will again cut down waste from your business. Many of these alternative methods such as bulk buying and ‘on request’ policies will also reduce expenses for your business and in turn increase your profit margins.

So become a sustainable restaurant, save the environment and save your pennies too!

Check out how Carbon Free Dining can help you become more sustainable, increase diner satisfaction and change the world! Click here