{"id":9400,"date":"2024-09-04T22:35:29","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T22:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/restaurant-sustainability-trends\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:19:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T19:19:13","slug":"restaurant-sustainability-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/restaurant-sustainability-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"Save Your Restaurant (and the Planet) with These 4 Sustainability Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Environmentalism and sustainability efforts have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/11658\/a-brief-history-of-environmentalism\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>existed in America for decades<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the country\u2019s environmental movement didn\u2019t truly explode until <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/history\/milestones-epa-and-environmental-history\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>1962<\/span><\/a>, when Rachel Carlson published \u201cSilent Spring.\u201d Carlson\u2019s book \u2014 a critical exploration of the US\u2019s pollution problem \u2014 catalyzed an environmental revolution, leading to twenty-odd years of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/history\/milestones-epa-and-environmental-history\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>sustainability-focused changes<\/span><\/a> and improvements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the late \u201880s, the eco-friendly movement had finally reached the restaurant industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Environmental organizations focused on restaurants and ingredient sourcing became increasingly mainstream, with the emergence of organizations like The Rainforest Alliance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rainforest-alliance.org\/insights\/our-founder-daniel-katz-reflects-on-the-origins-of-the-rainforest-alliance\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>in 1987<\/span><\/a> and The Green Restaurant Association <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dinegreen.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>in 1990<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sustainability-related restaurant certifications exploded in popularity too. For example, The Marine Stewardship Council began issuing certifications <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msc.org\/about-the-msc\/our-history\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>in 2000<\/span><\/a>, with other initiatives like The Food Made Good Sustainability Standard launching in the <a href=\"https:\/\/thesra.org\/about-us\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>following decade<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the past few decades have brought instrumental change to the restaurant industry\u2019s take on sustainability, present-day trends indicate that environmental efforts haven\u2019t slowed down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, restaurant sustainability efforts are now more important to restaurant owners \u2014 and restaurant-goers \u2014 than ever before.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this blog, we\u2019ll explore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Current trends in restaurant sustainability efforts (with examples)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why restaurant sustainability matters to owners and operators<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How Craver\u2019s tech can improve your sustainability efforts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So, without further ado\u2026&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the four restaurant trends that can help the planet (<em>and<\/em> your restaurant\u2019s bottom line).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4 Restaurant Sustainability Trends and Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trend 1 \u2014 Renewable Energy &amp; Energy Management&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>North American restaurants are \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/esource.bizenergyadvisor.com\/article\/restaurants\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>top energy users<\/span><\/a>\u201d compared to other commercial businesses, with <a href=\"https:\/\/esource.bizenergyadvisor.com\/article\/restaurants\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>estimates suggesting<\/span><\/a> electricity usage of&nbsp; ~44 kWh per ft<sup>2<\/sup>\/annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, for a 1200-square-foot restaurant, that\u2019s an annual electricity usage of ~53,000 kWh \u2014 the same amount of electricity needed to power ~53,000 televisions for over 1M hours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(<em>Which is long enough to watch the Titanic 235,556 consecutive times, by the way.<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Greenhouse-Gas-and-Global-Warming.png\" alt=\"Greenhouse Gas and Global Warming\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem with high electricity usage is less about the electricity itself and more about its environmental impact.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNearly all parts of the electricity system can affect the environment,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/energy\/about-us-electricity-system-and-its-impact-environment#:~:text=Emissions%20of%20greenhouse%20gases%20and,temperature%20of%20the%20water%20body).\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>according to the US EPA<\/span><\/a>, with effects including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air and thermal pollution, and solid\/hazardous waste generation. These energy-induced environmental impacts are why we\u2019re seeing more and more restaurants explore energy-efficient solutions and management options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chipotle, for example, has been exploring renewable energy solutions for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example: Chipotle\u2019s Renewable Energy Management<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Chipotle has been exploring renewable energy solutions for years. In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chipotle.ca\/sustainability\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>March 2021<\/span><\/a>, Chipotle introduced new Environment, Social, and Governance (<a href=\"https:\/\/corporatefinanceinstitute.com\/resources\/esg\/esg-environmental-social-governance\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>ESG<\/span><\/a>) metrics, one of which was reducing GHG emissions by 5%+. By the end of 2021, Chipotle had exceeded its goal, using newly adopted Energy Management Systems (EMS) to reduce annual energy usage by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chipotle.com\/content\/dam\/chipotle\/pages\/sustainability\/us\/2023\/updated-2021-annual-cmg-report-update-11-17-22.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>12.7%<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.chipotle.com\/2023-04-11-CHIPOTLE-PILOTS-NEW-RESPONSIBLE-RESTAURANT-DESIGN-ALONGSIDE-SUSTAINABILITY-CAMPAIGN\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>40%<\/span><\/a> of the brand\u2019s total energy consumption had come from \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.green-e.org\/programs\/energy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Green-e\u00ae Energy<\/span><\/a> certified wind,\u201d and by 2023 the brand had piloted a new \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.qsrmagazine.com\/growth\/fast-casual\/restaurants-are-undergoing-a-renewable-revolution\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>all-electric restaurant<\/span><\/a>\u201d model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith our aggressive development goal in North America, we hold ourselves accountable to reduce the environmental impact of our restaurants,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.chipotle.com\/2023-04-11-CHIPOTLE-PILOTS-NEW-RESPONSIBLE-RESTAURANT-DESIGN-ALONGSIDE-SUSTAINABILITY-CAMPAIGN\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>said Chipotle\u2019s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Laurie Schalow.<\/span><\/a> &#8220;We are aiming to incorporate some elements of our responsible restaurant design into many of our new restaurant openings going forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trend 2 \u2014 Reducing Food Waste with Smart Tech&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Restaurant <a href=\"https:\/\/nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu\/sustainability\/food-waste\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>food waste<\/span><\/a> is a massive problem in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Restaurants generate <a href=\"https:\/\/refed.org\/downloads\/Restaurant_Guide_Web.pdf#page=6\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em><span>~11.4 million tons<\/span><\/em><\/a> of food waste annually, which equals ~<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/foodwaste\/faqs\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>40%<\/span><\/a> of the country\u2019s food supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also enough food to feed 13.6* million Americans for a year; a statistic that gets even more harrowing when you learn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ers.usda.gov\/data-products\/ag-and-food-statistics-charting-the-essentials\/food-security-and-nutrition-assistance\/#:~:text=The%20prevalence%20of%20food%20insecurity,of%20a%20lack%20of%20resources.\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>~13%<\/span><\/a> of the US is food insecure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One solution restaurants have found for tackling food waste problems is smart tech and waste management systems \u2014 something IKEA restaurants have had great success with.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example: Ingka Group\u2019s Food Waste Campaign<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2015, IKEA retailer Ingka Group partnered with Winnow, a UK-based tech company created \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winnowsolutions.com\/company\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>to meet the food waste challenge<\/span><\/a>.\u201d The partnership started small, with Winnow piloting their software in two of Ingka\u2019s England stores. But, once the results from the six-month pilot showed a 40% reduction in food waste, things started moving quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pair\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/resource.co\/article\/ikea-recognises-food-precious-goal-cut-waste-half-11936\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Food is Precious<\/span><\/a>\u201d campaign launched in 2017, debuting Ingka\u2019s goal to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/resource.co\/article\/ikea-recognises-food-precious-goal-cut-waste-half-11936\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>cut food waste by [50%]<\/span><\/a>\u201d using Winnow\u2019s smart scale solutions\u2026 and they got started right away.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 2020, the company reported a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ikea.com\/se\/sv\/files\/pdf\/c3\/e2\/c3e2b54b\/ikea_sustainability_report_fy20.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>32% reduction<\/span><\/a> in food waste. By 2021, that number had reached <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ikea.com\/global\/en\/images\/ikea_sustainability_report_fy21_4d253ede75.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>46%<\/span><\/a>. And, by 2022, Ingka had exceeded its original goal, reporting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ingka.com\/newsroom\/ikea-stores-halve-production-food-waste-saving-more-than-20-million-meals-over-four-years\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>54% reduction<\/span><\/a> in food waste (equivalent to saving 20 million meals and avoiding 36K tons of CO<sup>2<\/sup> emissions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe know that many people [worldwide] suffer from hunger, whilst at the same time a third of all food harvested and produced is wasted,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ingka.com\/newsroom\/ikea-stores-halve-production-food-waste-saving-more-than-20-million-meals-over-four-years\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>said Karen Pflug<\/span><\/a>, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group. \u201cIt is clear that we need to\u2026 play our part to change this. The impact we can all have on preventing and reducing food waste [benefits] both people and the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*Calculated using the USDA\u2019s most recent <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ers.usda.gov\/Data\/FoodConsumption\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em><span>food consumption estimates<\/span><\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>Ordered too much inventory (again)? Let customer data from your Craver app guide your next inventory order \u2014 food waste-free.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Form\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tBook A Demo\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trend 3 \u2014 Ethical Ingredient Sourcing and Education&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ethical ingredient sourcing and supply chain transparency are increasingly common sustainability demands in the restaurant industry\u2026 and there are a few reasons why.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, ethical farming practices are a much higher priority to today\u2019s consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unethical-Animal-Farming.png\" alt=\"Unethical Animal Farming in Chicken Farm\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/food-miles-have-larger-climate-impact-than-thought-study-suggests\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>A recent NSF study<\/span><\/a> suggests animal welfare plays a major role in consumer\u2019s purchasing decisions, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/food-miles-have-larger-climate-impact-than-thought-study-suggests\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>68%<\/span><\/a> of respondents saying supply chain \u201ctransparency and compliance in animal wellness\u201d is important. And, because most factory farming wellness standards are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsf.org\/news\/nsf-reveals-americans-say-animal-wellness-important-role-purchasing-decisions\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>voluntary<\/span><\/a> in the US, consumers tend to place less trust in \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/sites\/default\/files\/impact_on_public_attitudes_toward_industrial_animal_agriculture-final-111120.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>industrial animal agriculture.<\/span><\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, consumers place more importance on \u201cclean,\u201d organic ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to an <a href=\"https:\/\/ific.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IFIC<\/a> survey, Americans are swapping foods with \u201c[chemical-sounding] ingredients\u201d for clean and organic ingredients. So, even though <em>all<\/em> food has chemicals, the perception is what matters most here; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/228376\/people-who-buy-locally-grown-food\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>~37%<\/span><\/a> of Americans think local food is better, so they\u2019ll buy from people who think so, too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Restaurants have been addressing this demand for transparency with\u2026 well, <em>transparency.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, one restaurant in particular has <em>always <\/em>been dedicated to transparency: Sweetgreen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example: Sweetgreen\u2019s Transparency Commitment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Since its inception in 2007, the healthy fast-food brand has committed to being as transparent as possible about<em> as much<\/em> as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Sweetgreen website offers a ton of transparency-related docs, like a detailed commitment to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetgreen.com\/animal-welfare\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>animal welfare<\/span><\/a> and plans for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetgreen.com\/carbon-neutral\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>carbon neutrality<\/span><\/a> by 2027. There\u2019s a lot of tech-fueled transparency at Sweetgreen, too, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetgreen.com\/carbon-neutral\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>calculating emissions<\/span><\/a> with SaaS company Watershed to <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.trustwell.com\/with-a-commitment-to-traceability-transparency-and-social-responsibility-sweetgreen-has-the-magic-recipe-for-success\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>tracking ingredients<\/span><\/a> through Trustwell\u2019s FoodLogiQ.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c[Sweetgreen\u2019s] mission is to connect more people to real food and build healthier communities by doing that,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/simonmainwaring\/2021\/01\/13\/purpose-at-work-how-sweetgreen-is-building-a-healthy-food-movement\/?sh=1d3ef40e136a\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>said Nathanial Ru<\/span><\/a>, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer. \u201c[And], more awareness around plant-based foods, healthy eating, and transparency around farming, whether it&#8217;s us or somebody else, is a win for everyone.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trend 4 \u2014 Sustainable Packaging and Products<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Upstream\u2019s 2021 \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/10_2xn4C03VW1_xh-lbz-AIIc0tXhRbBi\/view\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Reuse Wins<\/span><\/a>\u201d report, restaurants spend ~$24 billion annually on disposal products like plastic forks and paper cups.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The result? Close to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/10_2xn4C03VW1_xh-lbz-AIIc0tXhRbBi\/view\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>1 trillion individual pieces of disposable food ware and packaging<\/span><\/a>\u201d headed straight from our restaurants to our oceans, forests, and landfills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Landfill.png\" alt=\"Hill of Rubbish Landfill\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Combine that plastic waste with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenamerica.org\/paper-receipt-survey#:~:text=Receipt%20production%20creates%20nearly%20300,receipts%20to%20these%20toxic%20chemicals.\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>300 million pounds of paper waste<\/span><\/a> from restaurant and retail receipts \u2014 some of which are made with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecocenter.org\/our-work\/healthy-stuff-lab\/reports\/receipt-deceit-toxic-chemicals-receipt-paper\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>incredibly toxic chemicals<\/span><\/a>, by the way \u2014 and we\u2019ve got a packaging problem on our hands.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, it\u2019s a problem that restaurants are slowly figuring out how to address \u2014 like McDonald\u2019s.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example: McDonald\u2019s Packaging Improvements<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.mcdonalds.com\/corpmcd\/our-stories\/article\/renewable_packaging.html#maincontent\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>2018<\/span><\/a>, McDonald\u2019s announced a goal of improving its packaging to reduce waste so that \u201c100 percent of [the restaurant\u2019s] guest packaging will come from renewable, recycled, or certified sources\u201d by 2025.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, although this goal\u2019s end date is still a year away, McDonald\u2019s has <em>not<\/em> been sitting idly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the end of 2022, McDonald\u2019s had already reached <a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.mcdonalds.com\/content\/dam\/sites\/corp\/nfl\/pdf\/McDonalds_PurposeImpact_ProgressReport_2022_2023.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>81%<\/span><\/a> of its \u201crenewable, recycled, or certified\u201d packaging goals, including new beverage cups and increased access to recycling. The brand had also \u201creduced virgin fossil-fuel based plastic\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.mcdonalds.com\/content\/dam\/sites\/corp\/nfl\/pdf\/McDonalds_PurposeImpact_ProgressReport_2022_2023.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>~48%<\/span><\/a> in their Happy Meal toys, and started exploring reusable packaging solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McDonald\u2019s continued their packaging promise in 2023 with even more developments and product testing, from reusable <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2023\/10\/26\/lifestyle\/mcdonalds-ditching-one-of-its-most-recognizable-utensils-the-mcflurry-spoon\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>McFlurry spindles<\/span><\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.packworld.com\/sustainable-packaging\/article\/22807113\/thepackhub-mcdonalds-nestl-and-jgermeister-adjust-packaging-for-sustainability\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>strawless drink lids<\/span><\/a> (\u00e0 la <a href=\"https:\/\/stories.starbucks.com\/press\/2020\/starbucks-strawless-lids-now-available-across-the-u-s-and-canada\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Starbucks<\/span><\/a>) to reduce plastic and paper straw waste. And, with some of the developments 2024 has brought \u2014 like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/104731-arcos-dorados-holdings-makes-sustainable-change-to-mcdonalds-packaging\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable packaging<\/span><\/a> Argentinian locations are experimenting with \u2014 efforts seem to be paying off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not enough to just do less damage to our planet. We need to do more good,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.mcdonalds.com\/content\/dam\/sites\/corp\/nfl\/pdf\/McDonalds_PurposeImpact_ProgressReport_2022_2023.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>said McDonald\u2019s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s why we remain focused on driving climate action, helping to protect natural resources, reducing waste, and transitioning to more sustainable packaging.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>Say goodbye to printed receipts and hello to waste reduction with a Craver app.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Form\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tBook A Demo\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Do These Restaurant Sustainability Trends Matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two major reasons sustainability matters to the restaurant industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, restaurant sustainability matters because the industry\u2019s impact on the planet matters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As illustrated in the previous section, the restaurant industry has historically been \u2014 and continues to be \u2014 a massive source of food and plastic waste, emissions, and pollution. Every restaurant and cafe is responsible to the environment (<em>and<\/em> the rest of the industry) to be more sustainable, no matter how small those first few baby steps are.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, restaurant sustainability matters because the industry\u2019s consumers say it matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While going green might be the right thing to do regardless, restaurants are still businesses, and businesses have to attract (and maintain) a healthy stream of customers to survive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, eco-focused shifts in consumer preferences mean your restaurant can have its sustainability cake\u2026 and eat it, too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consumer Sustainability Preferences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nielseniq.com\/global\/en\/insights\/report\/2021\/an-inside-look-into-the-2021-global-consumer-health-and-wellness-revolution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>78%<\/span><\/a> of consumers say \u201ca sustainable lifestyle\u201d is important to them&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/indd.adobe.com\/view\/847105ae-1d66-4c7f-8e4f-6b69211c8c2b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>70%<\/span><\/a> of consumers are willing to sacrifice convenience if it means getting healthier products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deliverect.com\/en-ca\/blog\/deliverect\/why-sustainability-is-crucial-to-restaurant-success-today-and-in-the-future\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>47%<\/span><\/a> of consumers would consider changing what they order from a menu if another option was more sustainable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/restaurant.org\/research-and-media\/research\/research-reports\/state-of-the-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>90%<\/span><\/a> of operators consider their consumers to be more driven by personal values than before<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consumer Demand for ESG<a href=\"https:\/\/corporatefinanceinstitute.com\/resources\/esg\/esg-environmental-social-governance\/\"> <\/a>Business Commitments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nielseniq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/10\/2022-10_ESG_eBook_NIQ_FNL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>30%<\/span><\/a> of consumers are more likely to buy from brands with \u201csustainable credentials\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2019\/07\/the-elusive-green-consumer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>65%<\/span><\/a> of consumers want to buy from \u201cpurpose-driven brands that advocate sustainability\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consumers think the most impactful sustainability incentives are tangible ones, like:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Waste reduction and recycling (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com\/gx\/en\/issues\/c-suite-insights\/voice-of-the-consumer-survey.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>40%<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eco-friendly packaging and materials (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com\/gx\/en\/issues\/c-suite-insights\/voice-of-the-consumer-survey.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>38%<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Positively impacting nature\/water conservation (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com\/gx\/en\/issues\/c-suite-insights\/voice-of-the-consumer-survey.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>34%<\/span><\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consumer Willingness to Spend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The average consumer would pay a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com\/gx\/en\/issues\/c-suite-insights\/voice-of-the-consumer-survey.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>9.7% premium<\/span><\/a> for more sustainable products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consumers are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/industries\/consumer-packaged-goods\/our-insights\/consumers-care-about-sustainability-and-back-it-up-with-their-wallets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>more likely<\/span><\/a> to buy products with ESG-related claims than those without<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/restaurant.org\/education-and-resources\/resource-library\/state-of-the-industry-sustainability-is-back-on-the-menu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>70%<\/span><\/a> of Millennials (and <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurant.org\/education-and-resources\/resource-library\/state-of-the-industry-sustainability-is-back-on-the-menu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>72%<\/span><\/a> of Gen Zers) would pay more for take-out if they could upgrade to sustainable packaging&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tech-Powered Restaurant Sustainability with Craver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best parts about committing to greater restaurant sustainability?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The upgraded restaurant tech that comes with it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of restaurant sustainability solutions are powered by tech and AI, giving you the improvements and efficiencies that tech is known for while simultaneously reducing all kinds of wastage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look at Craver\u2019s <a href=\"\/feature\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>custom-branded mobile apps<\/span><\/a>, for example.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a Craver app, you can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Let your customers order for themselves, reducing order errors (efficiency) while eliminating paper receipts (sustainability)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer online ordering, making delivery easier and more seamless (efficiency) while adding a custom option for cutlery (sustainability)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a loyalty program, incentivizing your customers to become regulars (efficiency) while creating offers around eco-friendly products (sustainability)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Working with us means you don\u2019t have to pick between sustainability efforts <em>or<\/em> digitalization.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because our solutions give you both.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"m-form  gb\"  style='--columns-ratio: 50%;'>\n\n\t\t<a id=\"Form\"><\/a>\n\t\n\t    \n    <div class=\"m-form__container container\" style=\"\">\n\n        <div class=\"l-form l-form-v3 order-default\">\n\n            <div class=\"l-form__col l-form__form\">\n\t\t        \t<div class=\"c-heading -h2 \">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-heading__title\">Book A Demo<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"c-form\">\n\t\t<div class=\"c-form__embed\">\n\t\t\t                <div id=\"hubspot-form-1\" class=\"c-contact hubspot-form\">\n                    <script>\n                        document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() {\n                            if (typeof hbspt !== 'undefined' && hbspt.forms) {\n\n                     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              <\/div>\n                \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Environmentalism and sustainability efforts have existed in America for decades. However, the country\u2019s environmental movement didn\u2019t truly explode until 1962, when Rachel Carlson published \u201cSilent Spring.\u201d Carlson\u2019s book \u2014 a critical exploration of the US\u2019s pollution problem \u2014 catalyzed an environmental revolution, leading to twenty-odd years of sustainability-focused changes and improvements.&nbsp; By the late \u201880s,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":9405,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[13,20],"class_list":["post-9400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Save Your Restaurant (and the Planet) with These 4 Sustainability Trends<\/title>\n<meta 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