Sustainability Ideas for Restauranteurs

Sustainability as a concept is really about survival. Simply put, its about finding the belief, tools and actions that allow for us to continue to exist as a species.

Its like we collectively journeyed so far in the wrong direction, and are now trying to find our way back to a place long past. It really begs the question: Were not our communities sustainable at one point and time?
Being environmentally responsible is really about making better choices and many require a simple shift in attitude. With respect to sustainability, there are the obvious choices of energy efficient light bulbs and aerators on taps to save water.

Other choices prove harder to make as they invariably are time consuming and have a direct impact your bottom line. Like most things in life, however, the most rewarding things are often not the easiest to accomplish. Here are some useful ideas to kick start your own sustainability program.

Look For a Local, City Sponsored Program
Begin your search online by finding what programs already exist in your area. Joining a local, government sponsored environmental group is a great way to begin your companies journey to sustainability.

You often find the necessary resources in one convenient place. Some organizations will do in house assessments of your business and help you to set up achievable goals.

Waste Management
Call you current waste services provider to see if they have a compost program. What you will no doubt find is the increased costs of composting will be offset by the decreased costs of your regular garbage bill. Your next challenge was be getting staff to change their behavior!

Packaging
A necessary evil, but how much of it do you really need? When working with local suppliers, make a point of asking for as little packaging as possible. Both you and your supplier benefit. Your supplier saves on the cost of producing packaging material and you save time and money recycling unnecessary packaging material.

Shop Local
Give local suppliers a chance to compete for your business. You are saving on expensive transportation costs, as well, your hard earned dollars stay in your community. Sustainable business practices ultimately lead to sustainable communities and who doesn't want that!

Farmers Markets
Many cities have a wholesale farmers market programs. Vendors will often deliver directly to your business at no charge making it both convenient and affordable. Also, you have to added bonus of being able to tell your clients just where the lettuce in their salad came from.

Acquiring Knowledge
Another area of sustainability that is critical is education. There are certainly a lot of great books that look at food production and the environment. Mark Bittman's book 'Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating' springs to mind. In the book, Mark makes a compelling case for amending our eating habits for personal health as well as the health of the planet.

Conferences like the Slow Food Nation Conference in San Francisco is an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge. Consider attending a national environmental conference to get up to speed in short order

Make a point of talking with local growers and food producers from your area to get their take on things.

Be a Resource
Document and your new found sustainability awareness and offer it up as a resource to others in your community. Consider devoting a section of your website to sustainability.

Summary
One clear benefit of being a small business is that you can draft policy concerning sustainability and effect change quickly. Have a bottom up mentality that encourages input from all your staff. Continually set up new projects and achievable goals for your business.

Finally, the potential of the internet to create critical mass around sustainability issues cannot be overlooked. For In the end, you will not have meaningful change without critical mass.

Seed Newsvine

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