Why Should You Go Green?

Why should you go green? This is an important question that many people are asking themselves on a daily basis. There are actually numerous reasons to go green, but three of these tend to stand out slightly more than the rest. Saving money, saving customers, and saving the environment are three of the top reasons to go green.

• Save Money
• Save Customers
• Save the Environment

Save Money

In recent years, the foodservice industry has realized the importance of “going green.” The green concept has been around for years, and does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. With this in mind, as well as the rising cost of living, businesses and organizations are looking for ways to help the environment while saving as much money as possible. Fortunately, the ideas of being eco-friendly and saving money seem to go hand in hand. "Greening" your business or organization will also cause you to see your profits rise, as most energy efficient appliances, often ENERGY STAR certified, are capable of saving thousands of dollars per year in utility costs alone. Many companies are beginning to offer rebates for those using ENERGY STAR appliances as well. By purchasing and using ENERGY STAR certified appliances, implementing a water conservation plan, and taking advantage of valuable rebates, the idea of "going green" can really save you some green as well.

Save Customers

As consumers become more aware of the negative impact our everyday lives have on the environment, they tend to look for ways to help. Many consumers are looking for businesses, organizations, and restaurants that are taking a part in the green revolution. People are making environmentally friendly choices each day, such as turning off the lights when they are not in use, drinking tap water instead of bottled water, and implementing a recycling program. Recently, restaurants have noticed that customers are more likely to choose an eco-friendly place to dine. According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association, almost 62% of consumers say that they would prefer to eat at an environmentally friendly restaurant. Simply put, your business should put forth an effort to become "greener" before your customers find another restaurant that will.

Save the Environment!

A staggering one-third of all the energy that the United States uses is used by the restaurant industry. This alarming number is largely due to outdated or inefficient equipment. Typically, restaurants also use mass amounts of water for cooking and cleaning. Much of this water becomes polluted through regular use, and eventually goes back into our water system via the water cycle. Restaurants can counter these negative effects by doing their part to be "green." ENERGY STAR certified appliances are an excellent place to start, while recycling, composting, and using green cleaning products are great ways to follow up with the green effort. We all have to do our part to help save the environment, so make sure your business is putting forth the effort too.