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.

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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