Christmas Feasting Goes Green: Hospitality Titans & EMenu discuss the UK’s Shift to Sustainable Dining Practices.
Introduction
As the festive Christmas season approaches, the hospitality industry in the United Kingdom faces a crucial opportunity to embrace sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The traditional approaches to Christmas dining often come with a significant environmental impact, and it's high time for a shift toward more eco-conscious alternatives. This blog explores the significance of sustainability during the Christmas season, shedding light on the environmental impact of conventional practices and the growing need for a more environmentally friendly approach.
Customer Research
Recent research indicates a growing awareness and preference for environmentally friendly practices among consumers in the UK. According to a study by Foodprint from Nutritics, 17 million Brits are more likely to choose environmentally friendly bars and restaurants. However, 64% of UK consumers find it challenging to make sustainable food and drink choices when dining out. The study suggests that consumers want more guidance and information from hospitality brands to make environmentally friendly menu choices. Additionally, 45% consider a venue's commitment to sustainability an essential factor in their decision-making process.
The Rise of Hospitality Tech
EMenu Now plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable menu choices, emphasizing the importance of plant-based options, locally sourced ingredients, and seasonal dishes through our digital menu during the Christmas season. Here are some examples:
Consumer Communication:
Remember how 64% of UK consumers find it challenging to make sustainable food and drink choices? With digital menus, the public has full access to what restaurants and hotels are providing. This means you can include information like where the ingredients were sourced from or what practices your venue takes to hit sustainable goals. Aside from being paperless, this helps make it easier for customers to find your sustainable practices.
Paperless Technology:
Hospitality businesses are embracing digital solutions to curb paper waste, driven by the environmental impact of traditional practices. Digital receipts, online ordering, and self-service kiosks reduce the industry's annual 1.5 billion tonnes of paper waste, addressing concerns about deforestation and toxic dyes. For instance, Best Western has seamlessly integrated our QR Codes into their dining experience. This innovative solution has not only eliminated the need for reprinting menus to update offerings or accommodate seasonal changes but has also contributed to their sustainability efforts. Not to mention, by giving guests the freedom to choose their personalised order, it also reduces the human error of receiving the wrong order. No mistakes equal less food waste!
Digital Guest Feedback:
Transitioning from paper comment cards to digital solutions reduces waste and improves the management of online reviews. Real-time access to guest feedback through point-of-sale technology is an effective way to promote sustainability while maintaining a positive reputation.
Sustainable Kitchen Displays:
The shift to sustainable kitchen display screens is saving thousands of trees annually. Beyond reducing paper tickets, this adoption enhances order accuracy and speed, emphasising the substantial cost and environmental savings for businesses.
Inventory Tracking for Sustainability:
Investing in inventory tracking solutions, integrated with the point of sale, becomes a top recommendation for sustainable operations. This empowers businesses to make informed purchasing decisions, optimise stock levels, and contribute to minimising food waste, aligning with environmental responsibility.
Hospitality Titans: Leading the Change in Hospitality Practices
To spark any change, hospitality industry leaders must become champions for sustainable practices. Here lies incredible opportunities for key influencers to educate themselves, their teams, and the wider business community on eco-friendliness. Industry leaders are responsible for using their voices, platforms, and networks to set and advocate for high standards for sustainability.
Actionable steps leaders can take include sharing resources on their online communities, hosting panel discussions, and advocating for sustainability criteria that businesses must adhere to, including licenses and benchmarks. For example, when planning their events programme, Hospitality Titans ensures that they feature industry leaders who advocate for eco-friendly initiatives as panellists. Additionally, they partner with various organisations that contribute to the automation of hospitality operations, leading to positive environmental change, including increased efficiency and reduced waste.
Incorporating Eco-Friendly Practices into Operations:
Of course, adopting technology, updating infrastructure, and sustainable sourcing lead to energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction, among countless other benefits. But without a genuine belief in the importance of making changes, true sustainability practices will not be maximised. Here are some ways leaders can champion a sustainability mindset and way of operating among their teams:
Incorporating Eco-Friendly Practices into Operations:
Of course, adopting technology, updating infrastructure, and sustainable sourcing lead to energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction, among countless other benefits. But without a genuine belief in the importance of making changes, true sustainability practices will not be maximised. Here are some ways leaders can champion a sustainability mindset and way of operating among their teams:
Setting Sustainability Goals & Standards
Having clear and measurable goals, including industry-wide standardized benchmarks to strive for and measure against, and a detailed roadmap to achieving said goals is crucial for the success of any project. For example, the NH Hotel Group developed a three-pillar approach, including infrastructure, operations, and purchasing. Creating an actionable roadmap makes it easier to set roles and responsibilities and track progress.
Introducing Sustainability Training, Education & Resources
The people within the organisation must know why sustainability practices are important and how they can contribute to eco-friendly initiatives. Meliá Hotels International champions a responsible business strategy encompassing initiatives to protect the planet, employees, communities, and transparent governance. They heavily emphasize training and educating their team on environmental sustainability and biodiversity. Their multi-angle approach to responsible business practices instils the mindset from the core of the organisation, which is reflected evidently in their daily practices.
Employing a Sustainability Committee
To implement the above standards and training and to hold all involved in the organisation’s operations accountable, organisations can create a team of employees who emulate a passion for sustainability. These individuals would be responsible for supporting the implementation of initiatives, measuring success, and recommending improvements accordingly. To ensure everyone remains involved and engaged, a member from each department and role level can stand in as a representative.
Measuring Sustainability Practices & Rewarding Champions
Measuring the impact of sustainability initiatives ensures time and resources are expended effectively. The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance lists industry frameworks, reporting, certifications, and global sustainability principles and standards that organisations can measure their sustainability efforts. Organisations can offer incentives for hitting targets to keep the momentum going and inspire employees to perform enthusiastically.
Conclusion
Approaching the festive season, the UK hospitality industry faces a crucial opportunity to embrace sustainability. This blog highlighted growing consumer preferences, efforts by leading hotel chains like NH Hotels and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and the role of technology, such as EMenu Now, in promoting eco-friendly practices. Despite challenges, the industry actively pursues green measures, with hotel chains setting examples through initiatives like energy efficiency projects and green certifications.
In conclusion, the commitment to eco-friendly practices in the UK hospitality industry is a movement toward a more responsible and sustainable future. Actions, whether through green initiatives, technology adoption, or leadership advocacy, guide us toward a greener tomorrow—a priceless gift for the holidays and beyond.
Sources:
https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/work/sustainability-guide/
https://www.travelperk.com/blog/6-hotels-for-sustainability-minded-business-travelers/
https://www.visitbritain.com/en/things-to-do/sustainable-and-hyper-local-restaurants
https://www.meliahotelsinternational.com/en/our-company/reputation-sustainability
https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/our-work/pathway/
