On 5 June, it is World Environment Day. A day when extra attention is given worldwide to the environment, climate change and the choices we make every day. For hospitality entrepreneurs too, this is a good moment to reflect on packaging, waste and sustainable alternatives.

Whether you run a coffee bar, lunchroom, cafeteria, restaurant, food truck or catering business, packaging almost always plays a role. Think of coffee cups, fries trays, salad bowls, snack trays, paper bags and napkins. Each of these products is practical, but they are also products where a conscious choice can make a real difference.

What is World Environment Day?

World Environment Day is an international day that raises awareness about protecting our planet. Every year, a different environmental theme takes centre stage, such as climate change, waste, nature or pollution.

The goal of World Environment Day is simple: to make people, businesses and organisations more aware of their impact on the environment. Not by doing everything perfectly at once, but by making better choices step by step.

Why is World Environment Day also important for the hospitality industry?

In the hospitality industry, many products are used, packaged and thrown away every day. Think of food, drinks, napkins, cutlery, cups and take-away packaging. Especially with delivery, takeaway and events, packaging use can quickly add up.

That is why World Environment Day is a great moment to take a closer look at your own use of disposables. Can you reduce waste? Are more sustainable packaging options available? Are you using the right packaging size for your dishes? And are there plastic-free alternatives that suit your business? Small changes can make a big difference in the long run.

How can hospitality entrepreneurs reduce waste?

Reducing waste often starts by taking a smarter look at what you already use. Many entrepreneurs immediately think of major changes when it comes to becoming more sustainable, but that is not always necessary. Small, practical steps are often the easiest to implement.

For example, take a look at your portion packaging. Are you using a container that is actually too large for the dish? Then you are using more material than needed. Or are you double-packaging products when one good packaging solution would be enough? There is often room for improvement there too.

Good stock management also helps. By keeping an overview of your packaging, you prevent products from getting damaged, being left unused or eventually being thrown away.

Which sustainable packaging options are suitable for hospitality and take-away?

Sustainable packaging comes in many types and materials. The best choice depends on what you sell. A hot meal requires different packaging than a cold salad, a crispy snack or a coffee to go.

For many hospitality businesses, cardboard packaging, sugarcane containers, paper bags, wooden cutlery and kraft snack trays are interesting alternatives. These products often have a natural look and suit entrepreneurs who want to make more conscious packaging choices.

Packaging made from recycled materials or FSC®-certified paper can also be a good choice. What matters is that the packaging does not only look sustainable, but also works well for your product.

Is plastic-free always the best choice?

More and more entrepreneurs are choosing plastic-free disposables. That is understandable, because customers are paying more attention to sustainability, and packaging without plastic often has a conscious appearance.

Still, plastic-free is not always automatically the best solution. Sometimes a coating or plastic layer is needed to make packaging sturdy, food-safe or leakproof. Think, for example, of hot drinks, sauces or greasier dishes.

That is why it is important not to look only at the material, but also at the application. The best packaging is the packaging that suits your product, your way of working and your waste stream.

What can you do on World Environment Day?

World Environment Day is a good moment to take a closer look at your packaging and waste streams. This does not have to be complicated. Start with a few simple questions:

Are you using packaging that suits your dishes? Can you switch to a more sustainable or plastic-free alternative somewhere? Are there packaging items that you are unnecessarily using twice? Is waste being separated properly? And do employees know which packaging is meant for which product?

By asking these kinds of questions, you often quickly discover where improvements can be made.

How does TakeAware help with more sustainable disposables?

At TakeAware, you will find a wide range of disposables for hospitality, catering, take-away and events. From cardboard cups and paper bags to sugarcane containers, snack trays, wooden cutlery and other more sustainable packaging options.

We believe that becoming more sustainable does not have to be perfect all at once. It starts with conscious choices that suit your business, your products and your customers.

Want to make your packaging more sustainable? View our range of more sustainable disposables and discover which alternatives suit your hospitality business.