Consumers like environmentally conscious companies. In fact, 66 percent of customers would be willing to pay more in a restaurant if they implemented
eco-friendly business practices. If you're one of the many companies trying to improve your carbon footprint, there are many ways to run an
eco-friendly business.
Here are some of the easiest ways to become an environmentally friendly business.
Attention to detail
If your store still uses incandescent bulbs, you can actually save more money in the long run by switching to leds or fluorescent bulbs. It may cost more upfront, but these options last longer and are brighter. You may also find that they are replaced less frequently, freeing up maintenance staff to perform more important tasks. After all, even if you run a candlelight restaurant, you don't want your guests eating in the dark.
Improved recovery procedures
A restaurant is usually a busy place. In order to provide the best possible service, the disposal of rubbish and recyclables is often set aside.
Small training courses on the importance of recycling are essential. This will help your employees make the right decisions, even during a busy day. For single-use plastic items, such as wine tasting spoons and plastic containers, separate these items from larger recyclables. You can work with your local recycling facility to discuss options for these hard-to-recycle products.
Give priority to your paper products
The best way to reduce plastic use is to replace it with environmentally friendly paper alternatives. Paper straws are gaining popularity as countless businesses are ditching plastic straws. While you may want to save some plastic options for your decadent smoothie, simple beverage orders will benefit from paper straws. This is double for customers on the road who prefer fast service. Along with their paper straws, disposable cups and paper ice cream shop supplies, will help mitigate your impact on the environment.
While eco-friendly paper straws are an important first step in limiting plastic use, your other paper products can also be retrofitted. Instead of investing in brand new toilet paper, your customers will praise you for using
recycled paper products.
Compost and donation
Restaurants are also known for excessive waste of food. If your business is filling trash cans with waste food, one by one, you should consider investing in compost bins. You may be able to donate prepackaged food to local charities and supermarkets, but you should definitely put your food waste in a compost bin.
Most people think compost bins are only for gardeners, and they've taken the restaurant business by storm. All you need to do is put your food waste in an airtight container. This includes half-eaten sandwiches, coffee grounds, and even some paper products. When it's full, you can take these bins to a local garden, composting facility or farm for further use. Don't let all the food go to waste. Donate it or compost it.
Do you want to create a healthier work environment? Don't hesitate to try these simple alternatives at your restaurant right away. This may seem difficult given the uproar in the food industry, but there are countless reasons to move to
eco-friendly business practices. For the best
sustainable paper cups, straws and green cutlery, contact Hyde Packaging now.
Carlos Gomez
Paper products developer
Professional development and testing of packaging product specifications, improve testing efficiency
Click to contact me