How & Why Restaurants Should Focus On Sustainability Efforts

Julie Starr • June 26, 2021



Restaurants are fairly unique businesses in terms of how they operate, what kind of experience they provide, and their cultural impact. There isn’t a city or notable town in the world that doesn’t have a form of a restaurant in it, but despite how prevalent and universal they seem, they are truly highly developed and individualistic entities – or at least, the good ones are.

For this reason, restaurants can often lead the charge in terms of culture and what may be ‘in’ right now. This is why Michelin stars are awarded not only on how excellent food is and how fresh it might be, but how in-season it is, if it’s relevant to today, and how forward-thinking the entire pursuit is.

In this light, restaurants are the best place for focusing on sustainability efforts and bringing that more into the mainstream, or at the very least, they are a large part of that picture. But what could they get out of this, and how could they achieve that ideal in the first place? In this post, we hope to discuss that and more:

Recycling Oil

Cooking oil is used for a wide variety of reasons, from using peanut or canola oil for deep fat fryers to keeping griddles well-curated for the cooking of meats, it’s true that many restaurants have quite a large oil quotient as alternatives and large scale air frying installations aren’t altogether that feasible as of the moment.

Thankfully, more and more businesses are opening up that can use this recycled oil for a wide array of healthy pursuits, such as contributing to sustainable biofuel efforts. If your restaurant operates in an urbanized area, odds are you will have access to a program like this. Removing and storing the oil in containers and making sure you manage these logistics well enough does take time, but it can be a fantastic alternative to help achieve better sustainability efforts. And, of course, as a form of recompense, these efforts can be truthfully listed in your promotional material.

Cleaning

Using eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning materials can help your restaurant remain as hygienic as possible without having to contribute to supporting unsustainable products. You may also find that using excellent restaurant hood cleaning services can help you ensure your ventilation and grease buildup are properly dealt with, thus increasing the cleanliness and utility of your daily operations. In this case, regular hood cleaning can actually thoroughly lessen the risk of a fire, too, as grease is flammable and is a real sticking point for unclean restaurants. That in itself is worth the investment.

Sustainable Ingredients

Of course, sustainable ingredients are also very important to consider. Odds are, a range of excellent farms, grocers and butchers are committed to sustainable ingredients in your local area. For instance, high-end restaurants are turning to more sustainable practices by supporting sturgeon farms that are sustainable, ethical, and still retain access to the best of the best caviar.

Opting for fish that aren’t overfished or come from sustainable fishing sources can help you retain your ethical procurement over time. Choosing in-season vegetables, organic and free-range meat humanely procured, and ensuring that all of these stocks can be replaced will help you ensure that in the end, your restaurant is a champion of these processes.

Food Fairs & Education

It can be healthy to educate the town around you. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to ignore the priority of running your business and appealing to your guests. That said, there may be a way to combine both of those intentions.

For instance, it could be that you decide to run a food fair or festival geared towards showing off local produce and what it can do. This might help you strike a deal with a local sustainable farm that helps you sell products wholesale through your enterprise while also ensuring guests can sample the best dishes with those ingredients in tow.

For some, this might involve showcasing sustainable and organic cheeses in the local environment, or a vegan festival showcasing environmentally-friendly alternatives to certain foods. The more you can introduce these concepts, dishes and products to people in a friendly, healthy manner, the more that you apply this as a new norm, and the more receptive people are to going out of their comfort zone. That can be a tremendous achievement in the life of your business.

Reduce Food Waste

As a head chef, curating a menu that people enjoy can be tough, but making sure that you reduce food waste can be tougher. Yet if you plan for this, and use that food wastage to help inspire specials of the days or meals that can be used to help shift product, then you don’t have to throw out certain goods.

It could also be worth considering donating to food banks if you have certain items that are unlikely to sell but are close to their expiry date, especially tinned and packaged products that haven’t been tampered with. Ultimately, however, great stock rotation and avoiding the tendency to over-order can help you avoid throwing out items. Regularly training your staff to make sure they limit their own food waste (such as by avoiding simple mistakes) can also help in the long run.

Commit To Learning

Restaurants are made and supported by how relevant and present they are . For this reason, they must always focus on what their next step is, and how they can appeal to people this year. It’s amazing just how much awareness surrounding the importance of sustainability has improved the zeitgeist in recent years, and so innovations are escalating at a rate hitherto unseen. For that reason, restaurant owners and chefs should focus on learning all they can, no matter if that’s by following this website or making sure they keep on top of the news cycle or local food guides. This way, you can always commit to the best practices going forward.

With this advice, we’re sure you’ll focus on sustainability efforts in the best possible manner.

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
Share by: