Understandably, the restaurant industry produces a lot of waste. The USDA estimates that restaurants generate about 4 billion pounds of food and material waste annually. Helping to reduce that number can be great for the environment and your business. A study from the National Restaurant Association found that over 50 percent of consumers are likelier to choose a restaurant based on eco-friendly practices.

Here are some simple steps you can take to design a successful recycling program.

Start Simply.

 Making your restaurant eco-friendly doesn't have to be complicated. Many restaurant owners have found that even taking simple steps toward reducing the waste they produce and increasing the amount they recycle can significantly save resources, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. 

Conduct a waste audit.

 You can't manage what you don't measure. Conducting a thorough waste audit is essential to help you better understand where your restaurant stands in terms of waste management. It will allow you to identify opportunities for efficiency and improvements; for the environment and your bottom line. 

 Begin with the basics.

 Once you have identified items that make up your waste stream, work with your staff to determine the items the restaurant can recycle, reduce, reuse, or eliminate. Some common recyclables in a restaurant include cardboard boxes, paper bags, aluminum cans, plastic and glass beverage containers, wood pallets, and food waste.

 Look for ways to reduce waste.

Start your program on a small scale. Choose materials that are easily recyclable and that your restaurant produces a lot of. Many restaurants use disposable plates, cups, and utensils, but these items are often single-use items that end up in landfills. Consider offering reusable plates and cups instead; this will help reduce waste at your business and save money over time. 

Reduce the amount of packaging used for deliveries and takeout orders. Use compostable or recyclable materials whenever possible. For example, use biodegradable cutlery and plates instead of plastic ones. Replace plastic straws with reusable straws made of bamboo or stainless steel. 

Design your recycling stations.

The design and position of your recycling bins are as crucial as the recycling program itself. Determine your collection points, how many different items you'll collect, and how many containers you need. Use trash and recycling bins that look different from one another and are clearly marked. Once you have your recycling bins in place, reinforce the behavior with your staff and use signage to encourage customers to recycle. It may take time to change habits, but it will go a long way in making your recycling program a success.

 Get buy-in from your staff.

Your employees will be vital in ensuring your program's success. Get them involved, informed, and on board early in the process. Consider an incentive for those who work hard to make your program successful. Incorporate the importance of recycling and waste reduction in your new hire training. 

Don't forget to compost.

 According to the EPA, 60-80% of restaurant garbage is food waste. Organic waste is a valuable resource that can produce soil fertilizers to enhance soil quality and reduce soil erosion. A great example of encouraging composting comes from a Florida coffee shop that offers its customers packages of coffee grounds to use in their gardens.

Promote your plan.

Include information about recycling in your menu and signage. The more information you provide about how to recycle correctly, the more successful your program will be. Don't forget to promote your program on social media. Use photos and short videos of your staff and customers discussing your program. That's a great way to let existing and potential customers (and your competition) know you are a socially aware business owner making a positive contribution to society and doing the right thing for your business.

Since 2005, Quikstone Capital Solutions has been a trusted advisor to thousands of restaurants. Quikstone provides these merchants with easy, fast, and flexible working capital for all their business needs. If you need cash for your restaurant, contact us today. We have only one goal, and that's to help your restaurant succeed.

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