By Alexandra Zendrian
The foodservice industry has steadily been incorporating sustainability into its practices, but some companies are still struggling with how to get started. We asked Jamil Bouchareb, CEO and Founder of Restaurantware, a leading restaurant supply manufacturer and e- commerce company serving foodservice professionals globally, to give us some advice on ways to begin this process.
Companies often tell us that high costs are a barrier to adopting sustainable practices, believing that using sustainable materials will raise expenses. Some fear the transition will be complex and disruptive, but our team works closely with operators to provide alternative suggestions and make it much more seamless than they originally anticipated. Additionally, the rising consumer demand for sustainability outweighs any of these concerns. In reality, sustainable practices lead to long-term savings, improved brand reputation, and stronger customer loyalty, making the shift not only viable but essential for future success. 2. What are some of the excuses you hear from companies about why they can't or won't make this change? 3. How should a business think about incorporating sustainability before they start investing in or planning on doing this? An easy place for business owners to start thinking about sustainability is by performing comprehensive waste audits and determining optimization initiatives. These will help identify key areas for improvement so the business can then understand how waste- conscious they currently are and where they will see the most impact once they do begin investing and planning.
Jamil Bouchareb, CEO and Founder of Restaurantware
Incorporating sustainable elements for foodservice businesses is more accessible than many think. Starting with a waste audit can identify key areas for improvement and quick wins. The low-hanging fruit is your disposable supplies, such as take-out containers, utensils, and drinkware. Start by transitioning these to recyclable or compostable options to reduce the amount of waste your establishment contributes to landfills. At Restaurantware, we offer a wide range of eco-friendly products and competitive shipping subscriptions to make this transition smooth and cost-effective. The advantages— lessening environmental impact, improved brand reputation, and increased customer loyalty— make it a worthwhile investment. 1. Overall, how easy or difficult is it for a foodservice business to incorporate sustainable elements?
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