Restaurants in the U.S. generate between 22 and 33 billion pounds of food waste each year, and that’s before accounting for energy, water, and packaging. The good news: there is a quick list of the different methods restaurateurs can incorporate into their businesses to become more sustainable, along with some chains that have already successfully made the switch.
Lower Energy Waste
This is certainly one of the best ways to start saving money on monthly bills while also being more efficient in the amount of waste that’s produced. Making upgrades to the appliances you already use, as well as fitting in more efficient lighting sources, can be a great way to start.
Most states also provide a rebate program for businesses to make changes. Businesses like the Red Stag Supperclub, which became the first business registered with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, have reported that after the switch, their energy waste has been cut in half. Unfortunately, Red Stag was permanently closed in December 2022, but its design remains a frequently cited model for energy-efficient restaurant builds.
Serve What’s in Season
Buy your supplies from local farmers and suppliers who bring their products to the market shortly after they’re picked so the food is produced naturally, without additional energy required. Restaurant groups like True Food Kitchen (46 locations across the U.S.) have built their menus around seasonal, sustainably sourced ingredients and scratch cooking, showing that conscious sourcing can work at scale, not just in independent restaurants.
Use Recyclable Paper/Plastic Products
Plastic paper, and cups create a lot of waste. Take a hint from Busboys and Poets, with eight locations in the Washington, D.C. area, which recycles paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum across all locations, uses 100% fair trade organic coffees and teas, and has added a Green Planet Fee to to-go orders that funds compostable packaging. It’s a certified B Corporation, holding itself to a higher public standard of environmental accountability.
Compost Food Scraps
One of the darker aspects of food service is food waste. Instead of throwing away uneaten food, help the environment by composting your food waste and turning it into a valuable resource, rather than simply chucking it into the dumpster to be hauled away to a landfill.
Even better, donate what you do not use to local food kitchens and homeless shelters to feed those who are less fortunate and make an impact on your community.
Recycle Any Used Cooking Oil
Because cooking oil is used to cook so many different types of food, your restaurant probably disposes of copious amounts of it. First, if not disposed of properly, used cooking oil can cause damage and blockage to the sewer pipes near your business, which leads to expensive repairs.
Secondly, it can contaminate the water it comes into contact with because the oil contains toxins and food waste in it. So, rather than simply draining it into the sewer, you can hire a local business to collect it and repurpose it. Not only will you be supporting local companies, but you will also know that your waste is being recycled into biofuel, which is an environmentally friendly source of energy for machines and generators.
Switching to sustainable practices in your restaurant can help the environment and save you money in the long run, as well as attract new customers who have a mind for helping Mother Earth.
FAQ
The LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors) certification has been shown to reduce energy use by up to 50% and water use by up to 70% in certified restaurant builds, based on documented results from early adopters like Minnesota’s Red Stag Supperclub (now closed, but still referenced as a design benchmark).
Yes. The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects food donors from liability when donating in good faith to nonprofit organizations. The FDA’s 2022 Food Code also clarified that donations from retail food establishments are acceptable under proper food safety practices.
In many cases, yes. Companies like Darling Ingredients and DAR PRO Solutions will collect used cooking oil for free, and in some cases pay for it, because it has commercial value as a feedstock for biodiesel and renewable diesel production.
