How to Reduce Restaurant Food Waste

Reducing food waste in restaurants isn’t just a matter of cutting costs or meeting regulations; it’s about making responsible choices that benefit our businesses, our customers, and the planet. It is as important as it is often overlooked.

From luxury restaurants in cities to take out joints in town centres – food waste everywhere. So, how can we reduce this? In this blog, we’ll explore some simple, effective strategies that restaurants can implement to minimise waste, save costs, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Key Points

• The problem with food waste in restaurants
• 5 ways to reduce restaurant food waste
• Food waste regulation changes in England

The Problem with Food Waste in Restaurants

With UK restaurants producing around 200,000 tonnes of food waste every year (Wrap), it’s clear that they are a significant contributor to this ongoing issue of food waste.

Now, you may be wondering what the problem is, given food waste is biodegradable – surely it can’t have that big of an impact on the environment, right?

Wrong. When sent to landfill, food waste produces methane, which is 80 times more harmful than CO2. And that’s not to mention the resources that went into producing this food, only for it to be thrown away.

So, why does this happen? There are a few things that can contribute:

• Poor stock rotation
• Over-ordering of ingredients
• Unpopular dishes
• Use-by dates and labelling issues

5 Solutions to Reduce Restaurant Food Waste

Thankfully, there are a number of simple and effective ways restaurants can reduce their food waste.

1. Education and Training for Kitchen Staff

It goes without saying that the more people understand the impacts of food waste, the more they will be conscious of it in their day-to-day work. So, enrol your staff in education and training programmes. Make sure they cover key topics and techniques that are essential for efficient and sustainable kitchen operations.

There will always be times, however, where food waste is inevitable. Learning waste management strategies, such as recycling, composting, and donating surplus food, should be a priority to minimise waste sent to landfills.

2. Look at Popular and Unpopular Dishes

By examining the ingredients used in popular and unpopular dishes, you can make better decisions regarding their inclusion in your menu.

For example, if your popular dishes include similar ingredients, like beef or pork, you can change your menu to include more of these ingredients. This means you’re less likely to purchase food that isn’t ordered, and then sent to the bin.

3. Store Food Correctly

When it comes to storing food, following proper methods is an easy way to prolong the life of your ingredients. Keeping everything covered, in the fridge at the right temperature and using the fridge correctly are all ways to do this. Staff should be educated on proper food handling, storage techniques, and the importance of maintaining cleanliness in storage areas.

Maintaining appropriate temperatures in fridges and freezers is paramount. Refrigerators should be set to a temperature below 5°C (41°F) to slow down the growth of bacteria. Freezers, on the other hand, should be kept at -18°C (0°F) to prevent microbial growth altogether.

Organising low-risk and high-risk foods separately is another key aspect of proper food storage. Low-risk foods, such as canned goods and dried items, should be stored separately from high-risk foods, including raw meat, fish, and poultry. This prevents cross-contamination and reduces the risk of your food going off.

Food Waste Regulation Changes in England

In 2025, England will introduce new waste disposal regulations, as part of the Simpler Recycling initiative. Taking effect from March 31 2025, all businesses in England will have to separate their waste for recycling.

If your business generates more than 5kg of food waste per week, you will have to set up a dedicated disposal system. This means new bins and more collections. Need help preparing your company? Get in touch with our experts and we will work to give you a head start.

Manage Your Food Waste With NRC

If you’re looking for a sustainable solution to your food waste, look no further than NRC. We are fully committed to eco-friendly restaurant waste disposal, diverting 99% of the waste we collect from landfill. With decades of experience in efficient and cost-effective food waste management, we are the go-to choice for restaurants across the UK. Get in touch today for your free quote.