PART 1 of 2 : A Guide to Easy Composting for Catering Businesses

PART 1 of 2 : A Guide to Easy Composting for Catering Businesses

June 07, 2023

In the catering industry, waste management can become a logistic headache. While some event spaces take care of the waste management, often the caterer is responsible for figuring out what to do with all of the waste. Composting is not only an eco-friendly solution, but it can simplify your waste management logistics. Food waste is already compostable, so the next step to creating a more sustainable catering business is to adapt compostable dinnerware and flatware.

With customers demanding more eco-friendly options than ever, advertising your composting efforts can position your business as environmentally responsible, giving you an edge with customers. And in the grand scheme of things, composting reduces your carbon footprint, helping you contribute to a cleaner environment for the future.

With all of the benefits, composting seems like a no-brainer, yet misinformation about composting for catering holds many small businesses back. Read on to learn about how composting for catering can be easy, and why it’s important to choose the right products for composting. 

What is composting and why is it important

Composting is a process where organic materials break down to create soil “amendments.” A soil amendment is like a superfood for soil, and helps plants grow. While all organic matter breaks down eventually, it’s only composting when the perfect mix of organic matter meets an ideal environment that leads to fast decomposition. The result is called compost — the perfect pH and salinity that plants crave in order to thrive.

It’s kind of like magic. Composting is the most sustainable waste management process because it literally creates new life out of waste. Unlike recycling, which requires resources like heat, water, and electricity to produce, composting is a natural process that requires relatively little intervention.

An important caveat is that compost should only go with compost. Throwing out compostable materials in the regular trash means that they end up in a landfill. While you may think that’s better than plastic ending up in landfills, the problem is that when organic (i.e. compostable) materials break down, they produce methane — a major greenhouse gas. Therefore, it’s important when using compostable materials to actually compost them.

So what can and cannot be composted? All food scraps, paper goods, and yard trimmings can be thrown in the compost. When you’re composting at home, you’ll want to avoid composting high-acid foods — like citrus fruit — and animal bones. These items can negatively affect the composition of compost.

The good news is that commercial composting, which is generally used in composting for catering purposes, is able to tolerate higher amounts of bones and high-acid foods. If you’re using a commercial composting program, you won’t have to worry about completely cutting out these ingredients, but it is important to try and reduce the amount that is thrown in the compost.

Come back for part 2 where we explore the difference between biodegradable and certified compostable. There is a difference! 




Also in The Dirty Dish

Redefining Outdoor Hospitality with VerTerra’s Sustainable Dinnerware
Redefining Outdoor Hospitality with VerTerra’s Sustainable Dinnerware

March 17, 2024

Spring is in the air, and businesses are bustling to bring their services outdoors, setting the stage beneath the increasingly sunny skies. While outdoor venues offer a breath of fresh air for events, the rise in environmental awareness has ushered in a demand for sustainability — even in our choice of dinnerware.

Read More

Elevate Your Dining Experience with VerTerra Covered Trays: A Sustainable Solution for Stylish Serving
Elevate Your Dining Experience with VerTerra Covered Trays: A Sustainable Solution for Stylish Serving

February 19, 2024

When it comes to eco-conscious entertaining, discovering products that blend sustainability with style can be challenging. Enter VerTerra Covered Trays: a sophisticated collection of eco-friendly serving trays designed to elevate your dining experience while minimizing environmental impact. In this article, we'll delve into the features and benefits of VerTerra's Covered Tray product collection, showcasing how they seamlessly merge form, function, and sustainability.

Read More

Why Eco-Friendly Take-Out Boxes Are the Smart Choice for Restaurants
Why Eco-Friendly Take-Out Boxes Are the Smart Choice for Restaurants

January 18, 2024

The popularity of take-out and food delivery services has surged due to busy lifestyles and the rise of platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash, leading to a high demand for packaging materials. However, this has resulted in a concerning increase in single-use plastic and unsustainable packaging. Introducing VerTerra Dinnerware's eco-friendly take-out boxes which will help restaurants reduce their carbon footprint, positively impact the planet, and comply with regulations aimed at reducing plastic use.

Read More

x