Why Sustainability Matters in the Restaurant Industry
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s becoming a key factor in customer choices. Diners are actively looking for eco-friendly restaurants, with 65% of UK consumers saying sustainability influences their food choices (Mintel).
Beyond customer demand, making your restaurant more sustainable can also:
• Reduce costs by cutting food and energy waste
• Improve efficiency with smarter sourcing and eco-friendly packaging
• Enhance your brand reputation as an environmentally conscious business
Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are five simple ways to make your restaurant greener—while also improving efficiency and profitability.
1. Cut Down on Food Waste
The UK hospitality industry wastes around 1.1 million tonnes of food annually, costing restaurants millions in lost revenue (WRAP). Reducing food waste is one of the biggest ways to make your restaurant more sustainable.
How to Reduce Food Waste
• Smarter portion control – Use data from restaurant KPIs to track portion sizes and adjust where needed.
• Creative menu planning – Design dishes that use the whole ingredient to reduce waste.
• Food donation or composting – Partner with food banks or start a composting programme for unavoidable waste.
Reducing waste doesn’t just help the planet—it cuts costs and improves profit margins.
2. Switch to Sustainable Suppliers
Your restaurant’s carbon footprint starts before ingredients even reach your kitchen. Choosing local, seasonal, and sustainable suppliers can significantly reduce environmental impact while also offering fresher, better-quality food.
How to Source Sustainably
• Work with local farms – Reduces transportation emissions and supports local businesses.
• Choose ethical seafood – Look for suppliers certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) (MSC UK).
• Buy in bulk – Cuts down on packaging waste and reduces overall carbon footprint.
Customers appreciate knowing where their food comes from, and promoting your commitment to local sourcing can differentiate your restaurant from competitors.
3. Use Eco-Friendly Packaging & Tableware
If your restaurant offers takeaways or deliveries, switching to compostable, biodegradable, or reusable packaging is a simple way to cut plastic waste.
Sustainable Packaging Ideas
• Compostable takeaway containers – Made from plant-based materials instead of plastic.
• Recyclable or reusable cups and cutlery – Encourages eco-conscious dining.
• Incentives for customers bringing reusable containers – Offer discounts for sustainable choices.
For dine-in service, consider swapping paper menus for digital menus—which can also speed up service with digital payment solutions like yetipay.
4. Improve Energy Efficiency
Restaurants consume 2.5 times more energy per square foot than other businesses (Carbon Trust), so optimising energy use can significantly lower costs and environmental impact.
Ways to Cut Energy Use
• Upgrade to energy-efficient kitchen appliances – Reduces electricity consumption.
• Install LED lighting – Uses up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs.
• Optimise heating and cooling systems – Regular maintenance can cut energy waste by up to 30%.
Small changes in energy use add up over time, leading to significant cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint.
5. Encourage Sustainable Dining Habits
Sustainability isn’t just about what happens in your kitchen—it’s also about how customers engage with your restaurant.
How to Get Customers Involved
• Offer plant-based menu options – More diners are choosing vegetarian and vegan meals to lower their environmental impact.
• Reduce single-use items – Swap plastic straws for compostable alternatives.
• Educate customers – Share your sustainability efforts on menus, your website, and social media.
Encouraging customers to make greener choices strengthens your brand reputation and builds a community around sustainability.
Final Thoughts: Sustainability is Good for Business
Making your restaurant more sustainable isn’t just about helping the environment—it’s also a smart business decision. Reducing waste, sourcing responsibly, and cutting energy use lowers costs, improves efficiency, and attracts eco-conscious diners.
If you’re looking for more ways to optimise your restaurant, check out:
• How to grow your restaurant’s email list to engage eco-conscious customers.
• 5 key restaurant performance metrics to measure sustainability impact.
• The importance of experiential dining and how sustainability fits into customer expectations.
By making small changes, you can create a more sustainable restaurant while boosting profits and customer loyalty.
