Takeaways are producing more food waste during lockdown but could save money implementing a food waste bin into their waste management strategy.
In the midst of another Covid-19 enforced national lockdown, one business sector that is witnessing a rise in food waste despite the increased demand on their industry is takeaways.
Whether an experienced takeaway outlet or a restaurant turned takeout, studies suggest that during the original coronavirus lockdown beginning March last year, food waste generated had risen from £111 to £148 per restaurant per week.
Research conducted by the Sustainable Restaurant Association and the Just Eat App, was carried out to understand changing attitudes to food waste during the pandemic. The research suggests that some £1.8 billion worth of takeaway food is wasted each year, with £376m worth of food waste occurring in takeaway outlets while households account for £1.4 billion in wasted takeaway food annually.
Due to families making the most out of the food they ordered during the pandemic, it is thought that in the initial lockdown, household food waste declined but increased for the takeaways themselves – a £16.7 million rise for the sector as a whole.
Of the takeaways surveyed, over half (54%) attributed unpredictable consumer ordering patterns as their main reason for discarded food.
Disrupted supply chains was a top reason for 38% of restaurants and 36% cited their business model as the chief cause.
With uncertainty surrounding the end of the latest restrictions, and just how generous any easing is likely to be, takeaways are on course to again produce record amounts of food waste.
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Save money with a food waste bin
Despite another challenging year ahead for takeaway businesses, implementing a food waste bin into their waste management strategies could save money.
While adding an extra service onto existing waste collections will incur a charge, it could reduce the cost of the overall bill.
The added container may reduce the frequency of general waste collections, or the size of the general waste container already in place.
WRAP highlighted the success of the Red Lion Hotel in North Yorkshire, who saved a monthly average of £100 upon implementing a food waste bin into their system.
What’s more, recycling food waste benefits the environment as any landfilled alternative rots, emitting harmful and potent greenhouse gas, methane, into the environment.
Takeaways that opt for a food waste bin will also benefit from flaunting their environmental savviness to ever conscious customers.
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How it works
Food Waste is all the inedible and edible parts of food that is created before and after food processing, production, and consumption.
While a waste management company such as CheaperWaste take the worry out of disposing of food waste, it is the businesses responsibility to ensure correct segregation once they have received their bin.
The following video highlights the do’s and dont’s of the food waste stream:
A 120 or 240 litre food waste bin can be provided dependent on each takeaway outlet needs, with collection schedules also tailored to each restaurants requirements.
If you would like to benefit from savings through a food waste bin, get a free quote today.
