According to the World Wildlife Fund there has been a 71% increase in searches by consumers for sustainable goods over the past five years, and a recent survey by McKinsey & Co. found that 66% of respondents always consider sustainability when making a purchase. These numbers speak to the growing movement of consumer expectations for a business when it comes to sustainability and is particularly relevant to the foodservice industry and canteen service products.
It’s been shown that food service products like food packaging, disposable cups and hand towels that are made from sustainable materials play an important role in customer satisfaction, and businesses that are actively offering sustainable options or alternatives are more likely to attract – and keep their – customers.
In 2022 Sustainability Victoria published a report revealing that almost 2 million tonnes of waste is generated from packaging annually, and according to the Ministry for the Environment 14% of all waste in New Zealand landfills is a direct result of packaging waste.
These figures are the reason finding takeaway food packaging made from renewable materials that are either recyclable or compostable at their end-of-life can be a big step towards creating more sustainable practices for your business and customer satisfaction. When looking at food packaging, materials like recycled and recyclable paperboard, renewable sugarcane pulp or ethically grown bamboo are good options for sustainable food service disposables.
Quality food packaging can also help provide better food safety and hygiene practices. Service products like food boxes and containers create an easy way to prevent cross contamination or other food risks from occurring.
And while disposable food packaging is an easy way to ensure food safety in an establishment, a sometimes-overlooked area of hygiene can be your handwashing stations.
According to the National Institute of Health, wet hands have an increased chance of transmitting bacteria to other surfaces, meaning that proper hand drying is a key part of preventing the spread of bacteria and illness. This is even more crucial in food service establishments where handwashing is an integral part of the hygiene process.
Disposable hand towels should be provided at or around all handwashing stations in your establishment to offer an easy and convenient way to protect your staff and customers. Due to the high use-case of hand towels, finding a product that’s sustainably made and compostable after-use is an easy way to lessen the waste output of your business while maintaining your businesses hygiene standards.
Food packaging and hand towels may seem like small part of canteen service, but they play a vital role in creating a sustainable and hygienic dining experience for customers. By investing in sustainable canteen service products that also meet your hygiene needs, restaurant and canteen owners can create a positive impression and customer experience.
