Catering and hospitality businesses urged to cut down on waste

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is urging businesses in the catering and hospitality trade to cut down on waste and reduce energy and water use, in order to reap the financial benefits.

Businesses are wasting over £6.4 billion per year by overlooking simple money saving actions, according to a new campaign launched by Defra today.

The campaign, which stresses 'Saving money – it's your business', illustrates how simple environmental actions translate into cost savings. This is being supplemented with clear practical advice for businesses on how to integrate resource efficient practices into everyday working life.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "Small firms are facing challenging times, today more so than ever. Finding ways to save money will help businesses retain a competitive edge. Being sustainable is now essential – for your bottom line and for the environment. Simple steps like using less energy or considering what you throw away are easy ways to make savings. Resource efficiency is the future for all businesses, large and small."

'Channel 4's 'Dumped' guru and eco-design expert Rob Holdway is lending his support to the campaign. He said: "Whether it's turning off lights, turning down thermostats, cutting down on rubbish, or addressing dripping taps – small sized catering and hospitality firms are 'leaking' money through bad use of their energy, water supplies or waste products.

"Simple steps such as turning off office equipment when it's not in use, can help businesses become financially fit and environmentally friendly. This also has a positive knock-on effect on corporate reputation among consumers. Resource efficiency isn't rocket science but it does require a shift in culture among the catering and hospitality trade, which I really want to encourage."

So how can it be done? 

Here are Defra's top tips for the catering and hospitality sector to save energy and make financial savings:

Turn off all office equipment when you're not using it. Overnight, at weekends and during bank holidays. Savings on just a single computer and monitor could be up to £35 a year.

Cut lighting costs by as much as 15%. Turn off lights in empty rooms and use energy efficient lightbulbs.

A constantly dripping tap can waste 500,000 litres of water per year. This could cost your business about £400 per year. Make sure you turn off taps full and fix any drips.

Save 4% of your turnover with waste management techniques. Such as partnering with businesses to recycle waste or selling it to be used as raw materials.

Save 8% on your company's heating bill. Turn the thermostat down by one degree.

Ask your suppliers about take-back schemes for unused products. You may be able to get your money back, or at least a portion of the cost.

Save up to one month's worth of fuel. Over a year through smarter driving such as reducing load and good maintenance.

Invest in efficient equipment to help cut your energy, transport and water costs. Government support includes interest-free Energy Efficiency Loans delivered through the Carbon Trust.

To refill an inkjet cartridge costs about the half the price of a new one. Use email where possible, set out your PC to print double-sided and refill printer, fax and photocopier cartridges.

Always publicise your commitment to reducing your environmental impact. More than a third of consumers would favour recyclable products or those with minimal packaging.

Words: Clare Riley

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