Building A More Sustainable Business

From packaging choices to growing your own tomatoes, there are so many ways to proactively think about building a sustainable business. Useful sustainability practices protect our planet, enhance your business’s reputation, and can lead to long-term cost savings. 

Here are some valuable tips to help you and your business meet or exceed sustainability standards in Alberta's hospitality sector.

Order packaging in bulk and in advance
Now this might seem like obvious advice, but with lots of restaurateurs working through their current supply of single-use plastics, many have procrastinated on ordering due to a constraint on resources (storing, finances, styles, etc.). With the increased amount of takeout orders still happening across Canada, restaurateurs are finding themselves running out of their single-use plastic stash (if they haven’t already). It’s predicted that there will be a backlog or delay on certain styles or offerings due to sheer demand. 

In one case, an owner-operator who prefers to be left anonymous has waited over seven months for a shipment of take-out containers for their locations here in Alberta. “We purchased our order for around 40,000 containers (varying sizes) in September of 2022, and they only recently arrived in Calgary” - Owner of 9 locations in Alberta.

Tackle Food Waste
Food waste is a significant issue in the hospitality industry, but you can make a substantial difference by implementing strategies to reduce waste. Accurately track your inventory to minimize over-ordering, and donate excess food to Fresh Routes, local shelters, food banks, or companies like Leftovers Rescue Foundation. Some rules and regulations go along with these, so ask questions about what can and can’t be donated if you are interested in partnering! Lastly,  be mindful of plate waste; if you find yourself scrapping portions of your dishes into the garbage, consider offering smaller portions to reduce plate waste. By prioritizing food waste reduction, you minimize your environmental impact and save on costs.

Composting & Proper Recycling
This is a HUGE one. If you can train your staff to compost and recycle from diners and B-O-H activities, it can really reduce your environmental footprint. Training is only part of it, you need to invest in the tools to make recycling and composting second nature. For best practices on recycling, learn more here.

Embrace Local Sourcing & Seasonal Menus
One of the key pillars of sustainability is sourcing ingredients locally. Alberta boasts a rich agricultural landscape, so take advantage of the abundance of local farmers and suppliers. By partnering with local producers, you reduce transportation emissions, support the local economy, and offer fresher and higher-quality ingredients to your customers.

Seasonal menus are not only on trend but also sustainable. By designing your menu around seasonal produce, you reduce the need for long-distance transportation and refrigeration. Engage with local farmers and keep tabs on what's in season to create innovative dishes that celebrate the bounties of each season.

Water Conservation
Encourage staff and customers to practice water-saving habits such as serving water only upon request. Instal low-flow faucets and toilets, and capture and reusing rainwater for non-potable purposes when possible. It can help the environment but also lowers utility bills.

Energy Efficiency
If you are opening a restaurant, consider asking about energy-efficient appliances and equipment for your kitchen. They reduce energy consumption and utility costs which can save you money in the long run. Consider installing LED lighting throughout your establishment and ensure that you have proper insulation to minimize heat loss. If you want to take it a step further, companies like Bullfrog Power offer renewable high-impact energy solutions where they put clean energy into the grid on your behalf to displace the polluting energy you use.

Please keep in mind that we understand a few or all of these might not be implementable at all restaurants, and that they are suggestions & tips from articles around sustainable measures in the food industry.