The hospitality industry in the UK is estimated to produce 1.9 million tonnes of wasted food every year. Not only does this have huge social, environmental and economic implications, but we are also throwing away a huge amount of potential energy resources.
According to Save on Energy, a town with 10,000 people wastes about 1,000 tonnes of food in a year which, if converted into energy, creates enough to power a desktop computer for 800 years.
Food waste is often difficult to avoid whether it be vegetable peelings, errors, spoilage or plate waste. Any food that is wasted can be picked up by a waste management company and taken to an anaerobic digestion plant to optimize the food waste.
What is an anaerobic digestion plant?
Anaerobic digestion is the process of using bacteria to break down organic matter instead of oxygen. This takes place in a sealed vessel and the digestion is caused by adding manure, wastewater biosolids, food waste and other organics such as fats, oils and crop residue.
The reaction of the anaerobic digester outputs biogas which is composed of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide which can be used like natural gas to provide heat, generate electricity and power cooling systems.
What recycling bins should a restaurant have?
A hospitality business implementing a food waste management scheme should have plenty of recycling bins to properly get rid of their different types of waste. Including:
- Food-bin
- Cardboard bin
- Glass bin
- Aluminum can bin
You’ll be able to find reliable waste management companies that can offer a collection of all types of waste that your business produces. It’s also a requirement to provide Duty of Care and traceability of some waste types such as cooking oil so that you’re compliant with environmental regulations.
Why is this important?
2021 is seeing some of the highest temperatures recorded in places like Canada and the Pacific NorthWest so it’s important, now more than ever, to start focusing on the environmental impact our businesses have.
Not only will a good food waste management scheme benefit the environment, but it will also save you money by reducing the amount of overall waste you produce. Trying to reduce the amount of waste in the first place is the best course of action for hospitality businesses. You can do this through better portion control, donating excess ingredients, labeling food correctly and encouraging customers to take home leftovers.
Are you looking for a professional waste management company to collect your business’s waste? WasteSURE provides sustainable solutions for excess food waste. We provide options for hospitality, events and catering to make your food service business more environmentally friendly. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
