Greener Food Menu- Optimim Operations

• Follow the 3 Rs: Reduce, reuse and recycle your waste. Recycling 7,000 cardboard boxes a year could reduce your waste disposal bill by up to 20%! Ask your local council for recycling details.
• Don’t flush your savings away: Spray taps, dual flush toilets and repairing leaks can save you money by cutting water waste. Installing save-a-flushes (or just putting a brick in the WC cistern) could save you up to one litre of water per flush. Thames Water offer free save-a-flush hippos.
• Switch off at the end of the day: Label or colour code light switches and electrical appliances, and create a ‘Switch Off Policy’. If you can, install lights operated by motion sensors to reduce energy wastage from unnecessary usage.
• Be cool but don’t over chill: Fridges and freezers can use up to 60% of total electricity use. Switch off fridges chilling canned or bottled drinks at the end of the day. Ensure they’re properly sealed and not run at unnecessarily low temperatures. And make sure airflow is not restricted around the unit – this could add an extra 5-10% to your costs.
• Value your Tupperware: Using re-useable plastic containers for storage of dry ingredients saves money and reduces waste.
• Hot under the collar? Ensure your boiler receives an annual service and is adequately insulated. An old and poorly maintained boiler can cost 30% more to run than a newer efficient model. Visit the Energy Saving Trust for more information.
• Make it A-rated: New dishwashers, fridges, freezers and washing machines are given an energy label from A+ to G. A-rated goods use half the electricity of G-rated appliances and so will reduce your energy bills. Look out for the Energy Efficiency Recommended logo and other energy labels.
• Turn trash to cash: One business’ waste is another business’ asset. For example, some companies collect waste cooking oil and turn it into biodiesel.