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What’s In It For Your Business Anyway?

WITH the government’s first Food Surplus and Waste Champion Ben Elliot appointed at the start of January 2019 to promote awareness of the issue of food waste, the topic of waste reduction is becoming ever more prevalent.

According to research from Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) wasted food costs the pub sector alone £357m each year, which equates to an average of 41p per meal. For every meal served within a UK pub or restaurant nearly half a kilo of food is wasted through spoilage (21%), prep (45%) or plate waste (34%).* That’s certainly food for thought.

One of the key ways that food wastage can be reduced is through the introduction of recycling food waste. If done correctly, recycling food waste has several advantages for your operations, CSR and ultimately your company’s bottom line. Reducing food waste is a major issue and it’s not just about the food going to waste, it also has some serious environmental implications too.

Whether you’re a restaurant, bar owner, or run a busy café you may be wondering what the benefits of recycling food waste are for your business. Scotland’s largest organic waste management firm, Keenan Recycling, looks at how recycling food waste can benefit your organisation as well as helping the environment.

It can be a crucial factor for your CSR

A business that embeds sustainability within its day-to-day operations and holds CSR as a core business principle should consider the rise in customer’s expectations for ‘making money whilst doing something good for the world.’ Profit margins and environmental initiatives are no longer incompatible terms within business and can often be turned to your advantage. As an employer, it can do a lot for how your existing and potential new people perceive your brand.

It can save you money

Putting food waste into landfill is the most expensive option for your company’s waste. Processing facilities for food waste recycling are also multiplying and becoming far more common as empty landfill sites are becoming increasingly scarce. With this in mind, food waste recycling will benefit your business financially as it will save you mega bucks.

It ensures your business complies with legislation

Official legislation around food waste recycling is yet to arrive in England but it is very much a thing already in Scotland and Wales. By preparing your business now to ensure you comply with legislation around recycling unwanted food, you will put yourself in a good position ahead of England adopting the legislation. If you are based in Scotland and Wales – it is advisable to follow legislation and avoid hefty fines.