SWIX Blog

The Benefits of Recycling in the Commercial Kitchen (Part 2)

Source: FSW Insider

Recyclable Materials

Day in and day out, the restaurant industry uses countless items that never make it to to the recycling bin. However, just being aware of what pieces can be reused or reprocessed is the start to a more sustainable kitchen.

Aluminum

• If it’s made of aluminum, it can be made of recycled aluminum.
• Recycling one ton of aluminum cans saves the energy equivalent of 1,665 gallons of gasoline.

Food Waste

• As much as 70% of all restaurant waste is food waste.
• Food waste can be composted to create a nutrient rich soil additive.
• Farms, greenhouses and home gardens can benefit from composted food waste.

Cardboard

• Old cardboard boxes can be donated to charities for reuse or sent to a recycling facility to make new cardboard and other paper products.
• Recycling one ton of cardboard saves 460 gallons of oil.

Glass

• Glass can be recycled an infinite number of times.
• Anything made of glass can be recycled into new glass products.
• Recycling a single glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 100 watt light bulb for four hours.

Paper

• All non-glossy paper can be recycled into several products including newspaper, bathroom tissue and kitty litter.
• Every ton of paper recycled saves energy equivalent to 185 gallons of gasoline.
  

 Plastic

• Recycled plastic can be used to create several products ranging from mop heads
• Five two-liter recycled bottles can produce enough insulation for a men’s ski jacket.

Steel

• Recycled steel can be made into steel cans, building supplies and tools.
• Steel recycling saves enough energy in one year to power 18 million homes for that entire year.

Used Fryer Oil

• Fryer oil can be turned into biodiesel, a popular alternative fuel.
• Rather than paying to have your oil taken away, biodiesel companies are actually paying restaurants for this resource.

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