Environmental Restaurant Tips

Green Restaurant Tips
Who said it wasn't easy been green

Everywhere you look, we are constantly encouraged to "go green." Within the food service industry, from fast food to fine dining, there are a lot of opportunities to make a difference on your establishment’s ecological footprint.

Benefits of going green

While there are many benefits to the environment, having a "green" conscious also can positively impact you as a business owner. If your restaurant is minimizing its environmental impact, the results can –

• save your business money
• add-value to your customer's experience knowing they are supporting an environmentally progressive company

Whether you decide to implement small, incremental changes or radical ones, there are options available for any restaurant establishment.

Changes to implement

Buying in bulk

Buying products in bulk will reduce the amount of individual packaging and have to throw away. Purchasing large amounts of a product results in lower unit costs. The benefits are a cost savings for you and less waste for the environment. Condiments are great for this, as well as milk, sugar and a variety of products, depending on what your restaurant serves.

Take out containers

The “to go” mentality is very prevalent in today’s culture. Even if people are drinking their beverages at coffee shops, baristas are continuing to serve up mochas and lattes in disposable cups.

Consider this statistic – in the US it is estimated when you purchase one cup of coffee (or tea) in a disposable container every day, you create about 23 lb of waste each year (Ideal Bite). That is a lot of waste for one person. Think of the implications when thousands of people grab a coffee to-go a day.

Using washable cups and mugs for to-stay orders will require you to purchase fewer disposable cups and throw out less garbage. Many customers will appreciate being offered this option and want to participate in sustainable practices.

Using recyclable products

Depending upon your business, eliminating takeout containers might not be an option. If this is the case, try using to-go cups that contain recyclable material. They are lower in cost and people recognize the effort of businesses that support environmentally conscious practices.

Use efficient lighting

Using an energy efficient light bulb (LED), is another way to make an environmental decision for your business. For the most part, making the switch is as easy as unscrewing your current light bulb and replacing it with a new efficient one. Although the initial cost of the new bulb is a bit more expensive than the standard one, it will save significantly on energy costs and the total cost of the new bulb will be less expensive in the long run.

Sustainable building

In the future, if you are planning a remodelling project for your restaurant or are building a new location, consider implementing green building practices, such as including solar panels or using natural lighting. As technology advances and the need to curb our environmental impact increases, there are many options that will allow you decrease your business’s energy costs and increase your energy savings to the environment.

Future of businesses and the environment

Being environmentally responsible is no longer just a ‘nice thing to do’. Negative changes in the environmental landscape are making it a requirement. It might not be that long before legislation will enforce businesses to take responsibility. Conscious customers might also take up this issue into their own hands and refuse to support businesses that do not promote positive environmental practices. Being proactive will save you time and money in the long run and will positively impact the community within where your business operates.