Defra urges hospitality industry to cut waste and save £6.4 bn a year

Fixing leaky taps, turning off ovens when not in use and getting suppliers to take back unused products could save the hospitality industry an estimated £6.4bn a year according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

In a bid to encourage the industry to reduce its waste, Defra has launched a campaign to show how simple environmental actions translate into cost savings.

According to its research, a constantly dripping tap can waste 500,000 litres of water per year, costing a business on average £400 per year while switching to energy saving lightbulbs or turning lights off when a room's not in use could shave 15 per cent off an electricity bill.

Eco-design expert Rob Holdway is giving his support to the campaign. He said: “Whether it’s turning off lights, turning down thermostats, cutting down on rubbish, or addressing dripping taps – small sized catering and hospitality firms are ‘leaking’ money through bad use of their energy, water supplies or waste products.

“Simple steps such as turning off office equipment when it’s not in use, can help businesses become financially fit and environmentally friendly. This also has a positive knock-on effect on corporate reputation among consumers. Resource efficiency isn’t rocket science but it does require a shift in culture among the catering and hospitality trade, which I really want to encourage.”

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said becoming sustainable was now 'essential' both for companies to survive financially and to help the environment.

He said: “Simple steps like using less energy or considering what you throw away are easy ways to make savings. Resource efficiency is the future for all businesses, large and small.”

For tips on how to save energy and money visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/savingmoney​.