5 tips to reduce waste in your kitchen

Consumers are more aware than ever of food waste and its environmental impact. But did you know it can also affect your business? We’ve got expert tips to help you cut landfill waste, save money, and protect valuable resources.

A waste audit helps you understand what types of waste your kitchen produces and where the biggest problem areas are. It can also highlight opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

To conduct an audit, start by identifying key areas where waste occurs. Focus on production waste (such as blast chillers, mise en place, and food prep), plate waste, and PPE (like knives), as these are common sources of waste.

Next, set a goal based on your current waste levels. For example, if 4% of your kitchen’s supplies go to waste, you might aim to cut this in half. Use your key waste areas to track progress.

How often should you audit? Weekly audits work best for optimisation—think of it as a mystery shopper exercise and don’t inform staff beforehand. Once you hit your target, switching to a monthly audit should be enough.

Make the most of your ingredients by using every part! Trimmings, offcuts, and bones (whether from fish or meat) are perfect for stocks, broths, and chowders.

Another smart trick? Feature the same ingredients in multiple dishes across your menu. This reduces leftovers and maximises your supplies.

Get your chefs involved by turning waste reduction into a challenge! Encourage them to create new dishes using common leftovers and reward their creativity with a title like Chef of the Week.

Short on time? No worries, we’ve got recipes below to help you get started!

We’ve got a variety of recipes to help you cut waste and save money!

Take a cauliflower for example—we’ve created three zero-waste recipes that use every part, including the stem. A Cauliflower Steak is a great choice, as you can typically get four steaks from one head, maximizing your ingredients. Have stale bread? Mix it with thyme and parsley to make a delicious crumb for extra flavour. Download all three recipes here.

Get creative with leftovers! Turn banana peels into a tasty vegan BBQ Pulled Banana Skin served in a brioche bun, or transform overripe avocados into a rich chocolate mousse. Check out the recipes here.

Frozen pre-prepared ingredients are a smart way to cut waste and make room for fresh produce in your fridge. With a long shelf life, they won’t spoil before you get a chance to use them. Plus, since they’re frozen soon after harvest, they retain their flavour and nutrients.

They also help you save money with a lower cost per serving and better portion control. And with less prep time needed, they’re a great labour-saving option too!

Try our Ratatouille Mix, just add a classic tomato sauce for a delicious side dish. Or whip up a creamy cauliflower cheese with our perfectly portioned Sysco Classic Cauliflower Florets.

Need even more convenience? Check out our range of fresh, pre-prepared vegetables and potatoes to save time and reduce waste in busy kitchens!

Proper fridge storage is key to keeping food fresh and reducing waste. If ingredients aren’t stored correctly, they can spoil quickly.

Invest in airtight containers—they keep prepped items fresh for days and help you save time by allowing you to prep in advance for the entire week.

Check out our range of storage solutions here to keep your kitchen running smoothly!

Did you know that plate waste can be up to 10% higher than prep waste? So how do we tackle it?

Since plate waste comes from customers, it can be tricky to control—but small changes can make a big difference. Start by identifying the cause. Are portion sizes too big? Is there an imbalance in ingredients? Hosting food tastings can provide valuable feedback to help you refine your dishes.

Another effective strategy is to make waste visible. Show customers the impact of leftover food through displays or numerical waste tracking. This can encourage them to finish their meals or take leftovers home. Keep sustainable takeaway packaging, like our Vegware containers, on hand to make it easy!