There Is More To Recycling Than Separating Your Paper And Plastics, and Trash: Items Your Restaurant Should Be Separating
No matter what type of restaurant you run, part of your social responsibility includes the proper disposal of commercial trash. If you have recycling trash cans at all the work stations, and large bins out back for paper and plastics, it is a good start. Many other items are used and thrown away during the course of the business that could be recycled. Here are a few examples of things you need to be separating from your regular trash.
Organic Products
If you run a restaurant there is a lot of food that goes to waste. If you toss it in with the rest of your trash, and it goes to a landfill, it will decompose and release methane gas into the atmosphere. Methane is one of the gases that contributes to global warming. Talk with your commercial trash removal company about having a separate bin for organic wasted that can be turned into compost for enriching the soil.
Electronic Products
When it comes to the back office, where the computer is for the business aspect of the restaurant, there is more opportunity for recycling. If a product has a cord, even if it is one that is only used for charging the item, it should not be tossed in with the regular trash. Most electronic items contain some type of hazardous material, such as mercury, lead or even toner dust. You may not have the need for a regular pick up of these items. Have a box or bin where employees can toss old cell phones, computer accessories and other worn electronic devices. When the bin gets full, schedule a special pick up with your removal company so they can be recycled into new products.
Hazardous Wastes
Restaurants require a lot of cleaning products, and cleaning products are hazardous wastes. If the substance is considered to something that may cause any type of health issue, or is flammable or explosive, it needs to be disposed of with care and not just put in a landfill. Commercial trash removal companies, like E.L. Harvey & Sons, are equipped to properly dispose of or recycle these wastes in a manner that will not cause harm to humans, animals or the environment.
Getting rid of the trash and waste products of your restaurant needs to be done responsibly. Your customers will take notice of your actions and feel better about their relationship with you. This will have them choosing you over competitors who do not take their social responsibilities serious. Proper recycling and handling of commercial trash makes good business sense, and makes you feel good too.