According to research from the National Restaurant Association, more restaurant and foodservice operators are practicing sustainability in their daily business operations.
In a recent survey, 500 restaurant owners and operators gave their insights on the challenges and opportunities that come from more sustainable operations. Among those surveyed, here were some key findings:
- 79 percent use CFL or LED lighting
- 46 percent use EPA Energy Star-rated refrigerators
- 65 percent recycle cardboard and paper
- 64 percent recycle fats, oils and grease
- 29 percent recycle aluminum or metal cans and rigid plastics
- 26 percent recycle glass
- 47 percent track food waste
- 22 percent donate leftover food
- 14 percent compost food waste
These practices reflect a growing demand for transparency on sustainability practices from consumers. A report from market researcher The Hartman Group in late 2017 stated that nearly 70 percent of 1,500 U.S. adult consumers surveyed expressed a desire for more transparency from companies about their sustainability practices.
“Consumers associate transparency with how authentically committed a company is to ethical action,” says Laurie Demeritt, chief executive officer of The Hartman Group.
