Customers are eco-conscious, and governments are slowly moving towards a net-zero future. Businesses today, therefore, cannot wait for a second longer. They need to champion sustainable practices, and that includes takeaway food businesses. To-go food businesses, in particular, can generate a significant amount of waste, from single-use containers to plastic cutlery. The fact is you don’t need to. You can revamp your business so it uses less, generates fewer CO2 emissions, and is more cost-effective to run.
Use Eco-Friendly Materials
The first step in making your to-go food business more sustainable is to switch to eco-friendly food take away materials. This includes switching out plastics for biodegradable or compostable containers, cups, and utensils made from materials such as cornstarch, sugarcane, or bamboo. Kraft packaging is also very popular. If these materials cannot be recycled directly, then they will at least break down naturally, reducing the sheer volume of waste that ends up in landfills. You could also consider using paper-based packaging or reusable containers to reduce waste even further.
Use a Stamp for Your Logo
Rather than using stickers or labels on your to-go packaging, consider using a stamp with eco-friendly ink instead. This reduces the amount of adhesive waste generated from stickers and also creates a more streamlined look for your packaging. If you do need to use stickers or labels, look for ones that are made from eco-friendly materials and can be easily removed and recycled. Less is more is a smart approach to take when it comes to packaging, and in this case, less can also be very cost-effective.
Choose the Right Size for the Meal
Choosing the right-sized box for each meal and side is essential. On a sustainability front, it reduces waste and therefore costs to your business. Choosing the right-sized box also minimizes the amount a meal can shuffle around in its packaging during transit. It’s also more visually appealing and makes customers feel like they’ve received a big meal. If you use a box that’s too big for what you’ve put into it, then it looks like the customer has been ripped off. Not to mention the fact that the food was likely jostled during transit and came to your customer looking worse for wear. The right size, however, is good for you, the environment, and the customer, so keep multiple sizes chosen to support each dish on hand at all times.
Offer Cutlery Only as an Option
Plastic cutlery is a major contributor to single-use plastic waste, with millions of pieces thrown away daily. To reduce your to-go food business’s environmental impact, consider offering cutlery only as an option. Many customers will have their own stainless steel cutlery at home, and those who don’t have access to such cutlery can opt-in. The cutlery you send should be made of biodegradable plastic, and to help the environment, note that these types of biodegradable plastics must be professionally composted through the city, not just thrown out. By simply not making cutlery a default option, you can help save on cost and the environment.
Use a Green Transportation Method
The final step in making your to-go food business more sustainable is to use a green transportation method. This could include using bicycles, electric scooters, or electric cars to deliver food rather than relying on gas-guzzling vehicles. Not only does this reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also be a great way to market your business as environmentally friendly.
