The Environment Is Our Responsibility
The takeaway industry has a hefty responsibility in regards to the environment. Targets to become greener are fast approaching, and there is increasing pressure from consumers who want to be sure that their Saturday night takeaway isn’t contributing to the devastation of the oceans or air quality. As an industry, takeaways and restaurants need to be more vigilant of their effect on the environment and take the necessary actions in order to lessen their impact. But what are the key areas in which the sector is causing problems?
Food Waste
Food waste is a massive problem in our industry, costing an insane £2.9 billion. Around 75% of food wasted could have been consumed. It is easy to see why Food waste is such a problem, but how will eliminating it help us overall? Interestingly, it’s been observed that for every £1 spent on eliminating wasted food, £7 profit can be made. It is not only good for the environment, cutting down on waste that heads to landfill, but also beneficial to overall bottom line.
Packaging
Non-recyclable packaging is a major contributor to environmental issues, not only adding to landfill but cluttering up city streets. It is important to consider more eco-friendly options in the field, in order to cut down on the effect that fast-food has on the environment. There are a great number of different producers creating innovative new sustainable packaging solutions, so there’s never been a better time to change for the better.
Energy Consumption
As little as 40% of energy used in a commercial kitchen actually goes toward the preparation of food, with the remaining percentage being dispersed into the kitchen as heat. Cutting down on this energy consumption can provide great dividends for businesses, allowing for a more efficient use of energy, and consequently, massive savings in spending.
Delivery Vehicles
Delivery is fantastic, and having the ability to send your food across a city to a hungry customer will always be an excellent way of increasing your customer base. However, Delivery vehicles are the cause of incredible amounts of pollution, with 26% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions being made by the transport sector. This is where Electric delivery vehicles could make a massive difference, and some companies are offering discounts on electric scooters for delivery drivers. It could also save money by using an electric vehicle; it is estimated to save £743 a year over a petrol powered machine.
As a whole, we all have a responsibility to the environment; it’s why the Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo is carbon Neutral. In order to help restaurants and takeaways find out how they can become more eco-friendly, we’ve developed the Sustainability Trail. 26 exhibitors who have been gathered together because of their environmentally conscious solutions that will make becoming greener a smoother process. Register to attend the Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo 2019 and see how you can make 2020 your greenest year yet.
Next Read: 5 Reasons To Attend The Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo
