Sustainabiz runs workshops for hospitality industry

Environment Waikato’s Sustainabiz service, which offers sustainability advice for small to medium businesses, is starting 2009 with a focus on helping hospitality industry businesses improve their environmental performance.

Workshops for cafés and restaurants are being run around the Waikato region in early 2009, with the first workshop in Hamilton on January 21.

“There’s growing recognition that improving sustainability can help your bottom line, enhance your reputation and boost staff morale, and that consumers are becoming more discerning with their buying decisions,” Environment Waikato sustainable business advisor Barnaby Smith said.

“Organic waste from the hospitality industry is a really big issue and we need to do something about it, particularly with the Waste Minimisation Act coming into force in July this year. This will start to drive up the cost of waste disposal for small business owners.”

Mr Smith said the hospitality industry contributes significantly to the amount of organic waste that goes to landfill. He estimates in Hamilton alone hospitality businesses produce around 700 tonnes of food scraps and coffee grounds each year, much of which ends up in landfills.

“Organic waste, particularly food waste, is a major contributor to leachate problems in landfills and the release of the potent greenhouse gas methane. It also contains a lot of energy and useful nutrients that could be used to condition our soils and grow more food.”

See www.sustainabiz.co.nz for more details on the workshops, or email advice@sustainabiz.co.nz if you are interested in tailored advice to help green your business.