We all know the damage that we are collectively doing to our planet, and there is increasing pressure on businesses to do as much as they can to reduce the impact that they have on the environment.
There are many obvious steps that can be taken, but one area that is often overlooked is that of workplace catering. There are many aspects of this that can still be adapted to make them better for the planet and better for the business, so here, Workplace Refreshments, specialists in office catering take a look at how that can work.
Locally sourced ingredients
One of the best ways to make your workplace catering eco-friendly is to try and use locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. This ensures that they are likely to be seasonal, and therefore the carbon emissions involved in growing and transporting them will be massively reduced.
Working with local suppliers also allows you to forge better relationships, which means your business can be seen to be supporting local businesses and you are in a better position to work together in creating something mutually beneficial.
Reusable utensils
Things like COVID-19 and the fact that our modern lives are constantly on the move has meant that we have started to use a lot of single-use utensils such as cups and cutlery. Invariably, this tends to involve some sort of plastic, which is not great for the environment both in terms of its production and its disposal. Switching to reusable utensils will not only massively reduce the impact of your business on the environment, but it will also cut your costs dramatically too.
Waste
Waste is one of the biggest problems that needs to be addressed when it comes to being more eco-friendly. Waste comes in a number of different forms, so it is important to look at what makes up the majority of yours in order to tackle it. If the waste comes from utensils and packaging, then it is worth looking at other items that can be used.
If your waste is predominantly food waste, then it could be time to look at different planning and ordering systems. Are you throwing away food that has been made but not bought? Do you have a lot of items going out of date? Are people leaving things that they do not like or cannot finish? When you get to the bottom of this, it is much easier to plan more manageable quantities that mean you do not have to throw away mountains of food. Of course, it is important to remember that when you are buying less and wasting less then you are spending less as well.
Energy consumption
We still tend to waste huge amounts of energy, and as a good percentage of this still comes from fossil fuels, it is important to reduce our energy consumption where we can. It is also an important part of your budget and so cutting down can save a business a small fortune. One way to do this is to ensure you use energy-efficient appliances and turn off anything that is not in use. Keeping appliances maintained and serviced can also be a good way to ensure that they do not use too much energy.
Being more eco-friendly in workplace catering is not only an important consideration for the planet, but for your business as well. It is now heavily intertwined with cutting costs, and so it can make a big impact on your bottom line. Being environmentally aware is important to many staff members and customers, so this can paint your reputation in a much better and greener light.
The article contains the opinions of the author who is presumed to be an industry insider. The Local Brand® does not endorse any advice, services or products suggested.
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