Ever wondered what happens to all the food scraps in your restaurant? Those vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and leftover bread? Most of it ends up in the trash, piling up in landfills and releasing harmful methane gas. But what if you could turn that waste into something useful?
That’s where composting comes in!
Composting is an easy, eco-friendly way to manage food waste. It reduces landfill waste, helps the environment, and even improves your brand’s sustainability image. Plus, many customers love dining at restaurants that care about the planet.
Let’s break it down into super simple steps so you can start composting at your restaurant today!
Step 1: Understand why composting matters
Before you start, it’s important to know why composting is a game-changer for your food business.
The Big Problem is Food Waste
- One-third of all food produced globally is wasted. (FAO)
- Food waste makes up nearly 50% of restaurant trash. (EPA)
- Food in landfills creates methane, which is 25x more harmful than CO2.
The Big Solution: Composting!
By composting, you can:
- Reduce your restaurant’s carbon footprint
- Save money on waste disposal
- Attract eco-conscious customers
- Use compost to enrich soil for a small garden (or donate it!)
Step 2: Choose your composting method
Not all composting methods are the same. Here are three simple options:
- On-site composting (great for small restaurants)
- You set up a compost bin right at your restaurant.
- Good for small food scraps like veggie peels and coffee grounds.
- Requires space and some maintenance.
- Partner with a local composting service
- Composting companies pick up your food waste just like trash collection.
- Hassle-free and great for restaurants with limited space.
- Many services provide compost reports to show your eco-impact.
- Community composting
- Team up with local farmers, gardeners, or schools.
- Your food scraps become nutrient-rich compost for community projects.
- Great way to give back and build partnerships!
Step 3: Set up a composting system in your kitchen
Once you choose a method, it’s time to set up a simple system in your kitchen.
- Separate your food waste
You’ll need two bins: One for compostable food waste (veggie scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, etc.) and one for non-compostable waste (plastic, meat, dairy, and oily food)
Label the bins clearly and train your kitchen staff to sort food waste properly.
- Get the Right Composting Bins
- Use a small bin for kitchen counters (emptied daily).
- Have a larger collection bin for the week’s waste.
- Ensure bins have tight lids to control odor and pests.
Step 4: Educate your staff
Your composting system will only work if your team follows it.
- Train your kitchen team
- Show them what goes in the compost bin.
- Explain why composting matters for your restaurant.
- Keep a simple visual guide near the bins.
- Get everyone involved
- Reward staff for proper composting.
- Have a friendly competition—who wastes the least?
- Make it fun and easy to follow!
Step 5: Tell your customers about it!
People love supporting eco-friendly restaurants. So, let your customers know about your composting efforts!
How to Spread the Word:
- Add a small note on your menu: “We compost our food waste to help the planet!”
- Share before-and-after stats on social media (e.g., “Last month, we composted 500 lbs of food waste!”)
- Offer discounts to customers who bring reusable containers.
Your customers will appreciate your efforts, and it can even bring in more business!
Step 6: Monitor and Improve
Like any new system, composting needs a little tweaking. Here’s how to keep it running smoothly:
Track how much waste you compost (some services provide reports)
Check for contamination (make sure no plastic ends up in compost bins!)
Adjust if needed—maybe you need more bins or a different pickup schedule.
Bonus: What Can and Can’t Be Composted?
Compost These (YES! ✅)
🍏 Fruit & veggie scraps
☕ Coffee grounds & tea bags
🥚 Eggshells
🍞 Stale bread
🌿 Paper napkins (unbleached)
Do NOT Compost These (NO! ❌)
🥩 Meat & fish
🧀 Dairy products
🍟 Oily or greasy food
🥤 Plastic or Styrofoam
Final Thoughts
Starting composting at your restaurant is easier than you think! It’s a simple way to cut waste, help the planet, and even attract more customers who love sustainability.
Are you ready to make the change? Set up those bins, train your team, and start composting today! Your restaurant—and the planet—will thank you.