Successful restaurants are becoming aware of the need to become eco-friendly. More and more customers are wanting green. From shopping to eating establishments that take a proactive approach to become greener. Especially because these restaurants are protecting the environment.
Going green also offers more benefits for a small restaurant business. More than just pleasing its customers. When done correctly, it can also help cut costs. Going green essentially means finding ways to help your business reduce its negative impact on the environment. Below are some cost-effective ways a restaurant can work towards becoming eco-friendly.
1. Reduce Use of Water
Most restaurants use a good amount of water for their various tasks. From washing dishes to the bathrooms, food establishments of all sizes and types use water. Unfortunately, our world’s water sources are depleting and making it necessary to find ways to conserve water usage. So in a restaurant setting, water can be conserved. All by using low flow spray valves when washing dishes. Also by installing water-reducing urinals and toilets in the bathrooms.
2. Clean Up Waste Water Using MBBR
The dishwashing process in most restaurants can be improved. All by reducing the number of food particles and organic materials that get rinsed down the drain. To help reduce this pollution, a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) can be installed. Having automated wastewater systems installed helps treating your restaurant’s wastewater pollution. The system also offers efficiency using low energy consumption.
3. Switch to Eco-Friendly Disposables
So some restaurants have difficulty to do away with all of their disposable plastics. However, there are many alternatives a restaurant business can consider. That’s especially when working to become a more green establishment. Therefore instead of using plastic dinnerware and utensils, there are compostable and biodegradable options. All made from renewable materials such as PLA plastic, bamboo, and sugarcane. It is most interestingly a misconception that all eco-friendly disposables are flimsy and low quality.
Because thankfully most noteworthy, the industry has greatly improved. So many brands are just as durable as their non-environmentally friendly plastic counterparts.
4. Order Bulk Shipments of Food and Buy Local Produce
When your restaurant is located in the city and you don’t have easy access to local, fresh food sources, consider ordering food in bulk shipments.
So restructuring your food orders will save you money. It will also reduce the environmental impact of the shipping process. If you have access to local food suppliers, consider purchasing what you need from those companies first. You will be supporting local businesses and reducing your restaurant’s carbon footprint. Plus you’re most importantly bringing in customers who love farm-to-table meal options.
5. Recycle
Another way to make your restaurant more eco-friendly recycling. Well besides that it is by reducing your outgoing waste. This can easily be done by participating in recycling and compost programs in your community. A good recycling system in your restaurant can include having bins. Set them all up in your business to allow your staff and customers easy access to. Composting is a way to get closer to zero waste. It’s also a place take unused food from your restaurant and allowing it to break down in soil and dirt. The compost can then be disposed of properly and is less harmful to the environment.
6. Use Green Cleaning Products
In conclusion, keeping a restaurant clean and sanitary is critical for remaining in business. Many harsh cleaning products can be damaging to the environment. So to become more eco-friendly, choose eco cleaning products. They will have the same power to clean without the harsh chemicals. Finally, consider using a steam cleaner on your hard floors instead of mopping with chemicals.
