As Quick Service (QSR) and fast casual restaurants increase in popularity due to their quality and diversity of cuisines, consumer trends towards favoring eco-friendly restaurants has caused many restaurants to respond to those preferences.
Restaurants have the ability to go “green” in many aspects of their business from the food they source and serve, to the energy they consume, to the furnishings and decor in their stores, to the cleaning products they use, and to the QSR food packaging they use.
When put together, these eco-friendly restaurant supplies create a truly sustainable environment and a healthier dining experience.
Eco-Friendly Restaurant Food Sourcing
What is the main ingredient of any restaurant? The food!
Sourcing the right food is the first consideration when considering eco-friendly restaurant supplies. Many ingredients are now able to be sourced from sustainable, organic producers. Organic and non-GMO vegetables and fruits along with naturally raised and hormone-free meats are the staple of eco-friendly restaurants.
As of 2020, there were more than 68.9 million hectares of organic produce being grown and raised worldwide, 5% of that in the US alone. Despite the US being a smaller producer compared to countries like Argentina, Australia, and China, the US is the largest organic packaged foods and beverage market in the world – worth almost $17 Billion!
US consumers are at the forefront of the organic food trend which is carrying into fast casual and quick service restaurants.
Eco-Friendly Restaurant Supplies for Food Packaging
And it’s not just the food that people prefer to be organic and eco-friendly. Food packaging, largely from QSRs, is one of the largest contributors of waste in the US. As more and more people choose to dine out, order take-out, and call for food delivery, the amount of food packaging increases commensurately.
Excluding the year 2020 when COVID restrictions impacted the number of active QSRs, the number of QSR franchise establishments has increased year-over-year since 2012. There were an estimated 192,426 QSRs in the US in 2022, a 2% growth in the number of restaurants over 2021, and a 27% growth over 2012. That’s a lot more packaging to consider!
But, as the amount of food packaging has increased, so have the options for what are now these eco-friendly restaurant supplies.
Eco-Friendly Take-out Bags
The take-out bag has become one of the most important items in the QSR arsenal. With the increase in take-out and delivery orders by diners, the bag requires both form and function.
For form, providing eco-friendly bags shows diners that the restaurant cares about the environment and its customers’ preferences. Eco-friendly bags are made from sustainable or recycled materials and are typically biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable themselves. Paper bags remain the most popular choice and are extremely cost-effective.
Take-out bags also need to be sturdy for transport. Premium bagasse bags are favored by restaurants that also want to take advantage of branding the bag for an enhanced experience and encourage continued “top of mind” awareness for the restaurant.
Eco-Friendly Food Trays
The quality and design of bagasse food trays is important to both in-restaurant and at-home diners. Today’s eco-friendly food trays are biodegradable and made from sustainable materials. Designed to be leak resistant, trays are great for storing leftovers in the refrigerator and, in some cases, can be microwaveable.
Eco-Friendly Food Containers
One of the most popular eco-friendly restaurant supplies is the clamshell container. Great for burgers, subs, salads, and other hot or cold prepared meals, the eco-friendly clamshell container is designed to be eaten out of or used to transport and store food. Clamshell containers can also provide insulation and are designed to block seepage.
Recycling Bins
Recycling bins are another key ingredient amongst eco-friendly restaurant supplies. For dine-in customers, providing recycling bins helps reduce the amount of food packaging supplies that end up in landfills. Some restaurants have upped their game by providing special bins for recycling, composting, and biodegradable materials.
If your restaurant chooses to go down this path, be sure to indicate, using standardized logos or pictures, which materials go into which bins.
Eco-Friendly Restaurant Design
Using recycled and sustainable materials in the furnishings and decor is one way that restaurant owners can enhance the dining experience. Eco-friendly restaurant furniture starts with sourcing materials that are sustainable, such as from wood, or are recycled such as metal tables and chairs manufactured from recycled automobiles.
There is also an opportunity to maintain an eco-friendly stance by choosing a furniture manufacturer that uses sustainable energy, such as solar, to run its production lines.
Eco-Friendly Restaurant Cleaning Supplies
While not typically seen by diners, using eco-friendly cleaning supplies in your restaurant is another way to create an eco-friendly, sustainable environment for diners and employees. Environmentally friendly cleaners and disinfectants for the kitchen, dining area, and restrooms, will enhance the overall dining experience and protect against any toxic chemicals from negatively impacting your organically sourced foods and eco-friendly food packaging supplies.
Request More Information About Eco-Friendly Restaurant Supplies
Servous offers many USDA and FDA approved food packaging options for fast casual and quick service restaurants. Our specialized bags, containers, trays and gloves include cost-effective and eco-friendly options.
Our experts are here to help you determine the right types of eco-friendly restaurant supplies to fit your needs and your budget. We can also provide any customization or branding that you require.
Reach out today to see how Servous can provide the right supplies for your restaurant!Contact us today to speak with our restaurant supply experts.
