Food businesses can produce a huge amount of waste, including food waste, packaging, waste appliances and equipment, and paper waste. If not dealt with correctly, waste drastically increases the chances of contamination, infestation, and the spread of bacteria.
By handling waste correctly, however, you can maintain a safe, clean, and attractive business. Check out our simple, six-step guide to handling waste for your business.
1. Reduce food waste
The less waste you produce, the easier it is to keep your business hygienic. Look for ways that you can reduce food waste by cutting down on packaging and reusing food scraps. You can avoid disposable packaging by storing food in reusable, washable containers such as jars and plastic boxes. If necessary, ask your food supplier about zero-waste packaging options.
For inspiration on waste reduction check out this zero-waste restaurant in Brighton.
2. Keep garbage areas specific and separate
Cross-contamination from bacteria in garbage can spoil food and pose a serious threat to customers. Always keep your garbage in a dedicated, sealed container away from food storage and work surface areas. Avoid placing utensils or storage boxes on or near your bins.
You may find it useful to keep food waste, packaging, and paper waste separate for recycling purposes. Use separate, sealed bins for each waste type. Also, think carefully about size when buying bins; waste overflow can encourage contamination.
3. Clean your bins every day
Your bin is a haven for bacteria. Foods left in the garbage rots rapidly, and the accumulated bacteria can cling to the corners and sides of your bin. Make sure to regularly clean and disinfect bins with strong cleaning products to avoid the long-term build-up of bacteria and increased chances of infection.
4. Use large, high-quality bin bags
Anyone that has had to deal with a torn bin bag will appreciate the increased durability of a high-quality bag! Spilling your garbage is a sure-fire way to spread bacteria and increase the risk of cross-contamination. A large, thick bin bag will drastically reduce the chances of spilling. Also, be sure to keep bins and bags away from sharp corners and protruding objects.
5. Environmental control for your garbage
Open garbage can quickly attract pests and insects looking for a meal. Rats, foxes, badgers, ants, cockroaches and flies are all attracted by the scent of garbage, especially to outdoor waste storage areas. Make sure that outdoor garbage is always sealed in a sturdy container (no cardboard boxes!) away from food storage and people. If your property is frequented by large pests, you may want to consider fencing off your garbage area to keep them at bay.
6. Consider paperless solutions
If your business produces a lot of paper waste, you may want to consider digital solutions from quotecorner online pharmacy to your paperwork. Digital invoicing and payment products, stock management solutions, and hygiene checking systems can radically reduce the production and cost of paper waste.
Get in touch with us here at Hawk to learn more about paperless hygiene checking solutions for your business.