Low and No Cost Sustainability Ideas for Hospitality Venues

Apr 11, 2025

Sustainability has been at the top of the trends list for the past few years, and it’s never been more important. 

We can look to many of the best bars in the world to see best practices, but if you have a limited (or no) budget to invest, what can you implement in your venue? Firstly, it’s important not to get overwhelmed by the scale of the task. We recommend getting started by looking at your venue's day-to-day procedures for any opportunities for improvement. 

Sometimes a process has been in place for years at no one has ever stopped to ask the question, why do we do it this way? Here are a few options to consider that can be actioned for zero cost or minimal investment.

Zero Cost

• Avoid using hot water to melt ice at the end of a shift. Find an alternative way to dispose of ice rather than wasting additional water.
• Create and monitor par levels of perishables such as fruit and juices to ensure they are used within their expiration dates.
• Ensure your freezers run efficiently by removing ice build-up on the inside at least every six months.
• Maintain optimal equipment performance by regularly cleaning. This could include vacuuming all refrigeration vents and adding these tasks to your closing procedures.
• Implement a comprehensive recycling programme, and look to send as little waste to landfills as possible.
• Engage your manager and/ or team and implement regular team meetings to discuss progress and upcoming changes. Getting everyone working together to a common goal is the most powerful way to implement change.

Low Cost

• A dehydrator can be purchased for a relatively low cost and will extend the life of your garnishes. 
• Place smaller orders with suppliers to minimise waste caused by perishable items like fruits and juices.
• Look into your suppliers and look for providers who can offer local, highly seasonal produce, or work with sustainable practices.
• Look at your energy suppliers and investigate whether they offer power generated by renewables rather than fossil fuels.

We are all responsible for creating a more sustainable future, within the hospitality and in our daily lives. By reducing waste, minimising energy consumption, and sourcing materials and products from ethical and eco-friendly suppliers, outlets can significantly decrease their carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable industry overall.

If you want to learn more about these ideas, check out this Sustainability webinar masterclass hosted by World Class winning bartender @sustainable_bartender Renato Tonelli here.

To learn more about what Diageo is implementing to improve their sustainability click here.

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