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Environment

Seeking to strengthen their bottom lines, increase the value of their business and minimize their impact on the environment, more restaurateurs are seeking out and incorporating sustainable practices into their food service operations.

From state and local energy and agricultural policies, to food waste and packaging restrictions, it is important for restaurant operators to understand the issues that impact the profitability of their business.

RAMW works with a number of businesses which can help you better understand these issues, help you build sustainability into your existing operations and provide food waste management solutions.

District Sustainability Awards Application Opens Soon!

December 9, 2022
Sustainability is about balancing the environmental, economic, and social needs of the District of Columbia today as well as the needs of the next generation, and the one after that.” - Mayor Bowser The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) would like to invite you to apply for the 2023 District Sustainability Awards. The application period opens on January 2nd for the 2023 District Sustainability Awards. The application period closes on February 10, 2023. Click here to apply. About the District's Sustainability Awards The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses,...

Now Accepting 2020 District Sustainability Award Applications

February 25, 2020
Are you an environmental leader? Does your business operate sustainably? Is your organization working to buile an equitable #SustainableDC? The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) wants to recognize your environmental + community efforts and is now accepting applications for the 2020 District Sustainability Awards ! CATEGORIES Individual | Business | Organization | Clean Energy DC To apply, visit: doee.dc.gov/service/awards DEADLINE: Friday, March 13, 2020Read more

8 Steps Closer to Zero Waste in Restaurants

January 27, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Environmental concerns are top-of-mind for the more than 600 American Culinary Federation chefs surveyed for the What’s Hot 2020 culinary forecast. The desire to source eco-friendly packaging crowned the overall trends list and getting closer to zero waste ranked high as well in the National Restaurant Association’s What’s Hot 2020 annual culinary forecast. Zero waste is tough in any restaurant, but there are plenty of ways to make operations more eco-friendly. Environmentally savvy operators measure what they throw out...

Nation’s Restaurants Advocate for Recycling Roadmap

January 15, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Association joins Recycling Leadership Council to help build a policy framework to reimagine the US recycling system. As sustainability has become more top-of-mind for guests when making restaurant decisions, sustainability practices have taken on a greater focus for owners and operators. According to the Restaurant Industry 2030 report , in the next 10 years, diners can expect to find more energy-efficient equipment, recycling programs, sustainably sourced menu items, and environmentally friendly restaurant design. The National Restaurant...

‘Zero Waste’ Bill Would Require DC Restaurants To Compost Food Scraps

December 17, 2019
Original content: DCist By Jacob Fenston What would it take to keep most of the waste produced in DC out of landfills and incinerators? It would require wide-ranging changes to how residents and businesses deal with what they toss out — from batteries to glass bottles — according to new legislation making its way through the DC Council. Sequoia Ireland works the compost drop off site in Columbia Heights. The city is trying to increase its rate of composting. Photo Credit: Jacob Fenston / WAMU What would it take to keep most of the waste produced in DC out of landfills and...Read more

3 Major Challenges For Wine In 2020, & What You Can Do About Them

January 9, 2020
Original content: Forbes By Cathy Huyghe Contributor If you’re a wine lover, and if you’re heads-up about current events and world news, then the New Year hasn’t been very celebratory so far. The bad news seems overwhelming and far-reaching, between devastating fires in Australia to bureaucrat types in Washington and Europe debating tariffs and deciding the fate of so many wine businesses we love. It seems overwhelming, partly because it feels so out of our control. I’d argue that, despite the large-scale ramifications of current events, there are things that...Read more

Plant-Based Protein Is Here to Stay, Say Restaurant Experts

December 19, 2019
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Restaurant experts ranked plant-based proteins as the No. 2 food-and-menu trend over the next decade. Restaurant experts surveyed for the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry 2030 report identify the growth in popularity of plant-based protein food products as the No. 2 most likely food-and-menu trend over the next decade. That’s no surprise: Consumers’ palates have been getting more diverse for a while, and suppliers and operators have been adapting to expand the range of options as a result. What does a...

We're Sick of the Waste, and We're Not Alone

October 30, 2019
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Government and industry partner to fight food waste in the US Restaurants, grocers, and food manufacturers this week officially teamed up with the federal government to find ways to cut billions of pounds of food waste at every step of the process – from the field through processing to groceries, restaurants and home fridges. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates we waste between 30% and 40% of the food supply each year. At the same time, USDA estimates 37 million people live in food-insecure households. The National...

Lawmakers Take Aim at Single-Use Packaging in Restaurants

September 19, 2019
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Cities and states are imposing new restrictions or bans on certain types of packaging used in restaurants. Plastic straws may be the poster child for efforts to reduce plastics use, but legislation is unfolding across the nation to restrict or ban many types of restaurant packaging and single-use cutlery, packaging and other food ware. State restaurant associations , restaurateurs and suppliers are working with city councils and state legislatures to make sure new restrictions are workable for restaurants and that lawmakers understand the...Read more

National Restaurant Association's 2019 State of the Industry Report

September 19, 2019
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association The latest industry trends — customers, industry segments, workforce, and more. What's the outlook for restaurants in 2019? The National Restaurant Association 's 2019 State of the Restaurant Industry report provides the details. From sales forecasts to projections for food costs, workforce opportunities, food trends, and technology advances, you'll get the overview here. Their State of the Industry report is available for purchase or as a complimentary download for members of the Association. Download the report!...Read more

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