Easing Sustainability Practices into Your Foodservice Operation

Sustainability can be an intimidating concept, especially in the resource-intensive world of foodservice. 

Let’s face it: change is hard. 

There was a time when most “green” products came with a premium price and low return on investment. For most operators, it wasn’t practical to implement a “feel good” when it sent the bottom line in the wrong direction.

Today, decades of materials technology and manufacturing improvements have given rise to solutions that now make great financial sense while reducing natural resource consumption. Another thing to remember is that improving sustainability can be a process over time. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition.

Every minor adjustment makes a difference toward reducing environmental impact and operating costs. The process can start with low-hanging fruit such as replacing disposables with reusables. Then it can work up to adding energy efficiency criteria when purchasing new or replacement equipment.

Reduce Trash and Recurring Costs with Durable Supplies

Single-use or consumable supply items are an easy place to start. They’re purchased frequently (which adds up), take up precious storage space, and fill up the trash. Swapping out even a single item with a reusable alternative will make a difference in terms of waste reduction and cost savings over time.

If you currently use disposable food storage containers such as deli cups, CamSquares FreshPro Series containers and covers in ½ and 1 quart sizes are the perfect size and price to make a swap. 

Ideal for storing mise en place, spice blends, fresh herbs, and more, FreshPro containers stack easily when used with a coordinating Easy Seal Cover.  

Easy to put on and take off, the cover helps maximize freshness and prevent spills. One Easy Seal Cover conveniently fits both container sizes.

Are plastic wrap or aluminum foil your team’s go-to for covering food pans?

A Cambro Seal Cover on a coordinating Cambro food pan can be used time and time again instead of filling up the trash with disposable wraps. 

Seal Covers also support stable stacking and keep out air, moisture, and other contaminants that can cause premature spoilage and foodborne illness. 

Seal covers have been proven to extend shelf life 2-3 days on average to help prevent food waste.

Using disposable drink cups in the dining room? Try ReusableTumblers by Cambro.  Available in 7 styles and a wide variety of sizes and color options, they look far nicer than disposables and provide a safe alternative to glass. 

Cambro Kid Cups look like clear glass, but they’re made of unbreakable plastic. They can be topped with tight-fitting lids to reduce the risk of spills. 

Try the Cambro Kid Cup savings calculator to see how much money and how many pounds of trash you can save each year when you switch from disposables.

Transition Toward More Energy-Efficient Equipment

The ideal time to go greener with your equipment is when you’re already planning to add new pieces or replace existing ones. Older equipment was subject to lower standards at the time it was manufactured, and it also loses efficiency over time. Replacing it with newer, efficient equipment can significantly reduce your utility costs. 

ENERGY STAR® makes the selection process easier by certifying kitchen equipment that meets or exceeds best-in-class, high energy-efficiency standards. ENERGY STAR certified equipment may even qualify for rebates from your local utility.

For more tips, check out the ENERGY STAR Guide for Cafes, Restaurants, and Institutional Kitchens.

Efficient Hot Holding

ENERGY STAR certified commercial hot food holding cabinets are 70% more efficient than standard models, on average. An ENERGY STAR certified hot food holding cabinet can save over $3,000 over the life of the product.

One of those energy and money-saving models is FWE’s UHS-12 Universal Heated Holding Cabinet. Test data has shown that with the same temperature setpoint and the same capacity, the UHS-12 is twice as efficient as a competitor’s model, producing an annual savings of $375 per cabinet.

To see a complete listing of ENERGY STAR certified models from FWE, click here.

Energy-saving Ware Washing

Most commercial dish machines allow the majority of heat and moisture to escape through the vent hood and some into the dish room, wasting energy and making the area uncomfortably hot and humid.

Champion’s DH6000 Ventless Hood-type Dishwashing Machine is changing that by recouping heat and energy with ventless technology. The system captures 100% of the operating exhaust heat and vapor and converts it into useable energy to heat the wash water and assist in heating the fresh rinse water. 

This ENERGY STAR certified model significantly reduces energy consumption and costs, eliminates the need to purchase and install a vent hood, and makes the working environment much more comfortable.

Energy and Oil-saving Frying

Frymaster’s FilterQuick with EasyTouch electric fryers reduce operating costs by using 40% less oil (30 lbs.) and 10% less energy while providing fully automatic filtration. 

This system is easy to operate and encourages more frequent filtering, preserving oil life and ensuring consistent, great-tasting fried foods. 

An optional integrated Oil Quality Sensor monitors the health of the oil and indicates when the oil needs to be discarded, to help you accurately maintain the delicate balance between high food quality and optimal oil life. 

FilterQuick with EasyTouch electric models are ENERGY STAR certified fryers, so rebates may be available in some areas.

These are just a few of the many equipment and supply innovations that can help your business become more sustainable while reducing costs. Contact us to talk about the unique needs of your operation. We’re here for you!