These London restaurants are taking big steps to go green and save the planet. Now is the time to think about sustainable eating.
You’d be surprised what a difference our dietary habits actually make to the planet. Not only do restaurants in the UK produce around 200,000 tonnes of food waste every year, but the agriculture system behind food is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. This kind of negative impact on a large scale means that we’re doing serious damage to our home, to the planet we need to protect.
The good news is that even small changes in our eating patterns add up to real environmental benefits. Because of this, London restaurants have been taking significant steps towards being more eco-friendly.
Here are just a few of the ways restaurants have been taking care of the planet:
Reducing Plastic
You’ve probably heard all about the damage plastic does to our earth. It threatens wildlife, spreads toxins, and contributes to global warming. Not only that, but it sticks around for hundreds of years. Reducing our use of plastic is vitally important in the fight for sustainability.
The good news is that there are restaurants and bars already addressing this issue. Would you believe it if we told you that there are many plastic-free bars throughout London? Instead of plastic straws, these bars use biodegradable materials. There is a list of plastic-free bars here.
In 2019, an establishment called Spring became the first single-use plastic-free restaurant in London. They decided to tackle the overwhelming issue of plastic in the restaurant industry by eliminating plastic straws and containers, as well as all other single-use plastics. Spring is also introducing biodegradable cling film alternatives.
Seasonal Foods
Have you ever thought about what it means when restaurants have the same menu all year round? It is probably a sign that the restaurant in question is not sustainable. This is because certain ingredients are not available all the time. For example, strawberries are typically in season in June. If you go to a restaurant in the winter and you see a dish featuring strawberries, you know that those strawberries almost definitely come from a mass-produced source that isn’t fresh.
Not only are seasonal foods better for the planet, but they also taste better. You have fresher and more flavourful options when you choose to eat seasonally.
Warehouse is a new restaurant that is adopting this strategy. Its head chef, Brendan Eades, said, ‘Our menu will listen to the seasons. It takes flexibility. I’ll see things available from my produce suppliers one week and the next week they’re gone.’ Although this requires more work on Warehouse’s part, they understand the importance of the sustainability mission and are willing to put in the extra effort to be eco-friendly.
Composting
Composting is the process of decomposing plant and food waste to create a fertiliser that improves the soil. This is great for the environment for a number of reasons, including the fact that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and extends the life of landfills. This is why it is a great idea to find restaurants that make composting a priority.
One restaurant that prioritises composting is Silo. They use their aerobic digester, which can generate up to 60kg of compost in just one day! But because their menu is built in such a way that they don’t need to use it that often, they offer its services to their neighbours. That way, they encourage waste reduction throughout the community. Silo’s focus is on zero waste, and composting is just one way they achieve that.
Another such restaurant is the one at Petersham Nurseries. Vegetable, coffee, and tea waste are sent to their on-site composting facility. They then use this to help them grow flowers in their garden.
Going to eating establishments that care about the earth contributes to a healthier planet in the long run and encourages other restaurants to take on the same practises. Living sustainably in London is becoming more possible than ever before. Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to travel less often. When you join all-in-one living in London, it’s easy to do this. Vonder’s properties are designed for convenience and ease, with on-site amenities including fitness studios, co-working spaces, private theatres, etc. With all this and community events in one place, you can stay home more and take full advantage of all we have to offer.
