If you run a hospitality venue, the challenge likely isn't whether to embrace sustainability, but how to do it effectively while managing the demands of a busy operation. As specialists in hospitality technology, we know that sustainable practices must balance environmental responsibility with commercial practicality. Digital tools can make it much easier to put your sustainability goals into action and see the results in your day-to-day operations.
In this article, we'll explore what sustainability really means for hospitality operators, why it can't be ignored and how it can actually boost your bottom line. We'll look at practical steps you can take today and why digital transformation is waythe way to sustainable success.
What sustainability really means for hospitality businesses
What is sustainability in hospitality? When hospitality operators hear 'sustainability', many think it's all about recycling or switching to paper straws. But true sustainability in hospitality means creating smarter and more efficient ways of running your business. It's about making changes that benefit both the environment and your bottom line.
For restaurants, pubs and bars, sustainability impacts four key areas:
Managing food waste
UK hospitality businesses waste nearly a million tonnes of food annually. More than an environmental issue, it’s a financial one. Every kilo of food wasted is money lost. But food waste is also one of the easiest areas to tackle with fast, measurable results:
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Implement digital inventory systems to track usage patterns and reduce overproduction.
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Partner with food sharing apps to ensure surplus food finds a good home.
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Get creative with typically discarded ingredients by turning citrus peels into infusions and garnishes.
Explore our full guide: 10 ways to reduce food waste
Monitoring energy usage
Energy bills are one of the biggest operational expenses in hospitality. Many venues are losing money every day through outdated equipment, poor insulation or inefficient practices. But by improving how energy is managed, operators can significantly lower overheads. Better energy systems also mean a more comfortable working environment for staff and a more consistent experience for guests.
Here’ what you can do about it:
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Combine quick wins like LED lighting with longer-term investments in energy-efficient equipment.
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Install smart meters to identify and manage peak usage times.
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Define opening tasks that help reduce energy use when it's less busy.
See our full list: 8 ways to cut energy bills
Considering supply chains
Supply chain decisions affect everything from cost and carbon footprint to customer loyalty and menu consistency. To tackle this, local sourcing is the best approach. By building more local, transparent and seasonal supply networks, operators reduce risk, improve freshness and build stronger community connections.
Some practical way to reduce transport emissions while supporting your community:
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Build direct relationships with nearby farmers and producers.
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Showcase regional breweries and local spirits.
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Develop seasonal menus based on local availability.
Sustainability in action – what your venue can start doing today
Sustainability for restaurants and bars doesn’t have to mean major overhauls or high upfront costs. Often, it starts with simple, everyday decisions that add up to meaningful change. No matter the size of your operation, there are immediate actions you can take to reduce your impact, save money and align your business with what customers increasingly expect.
Here’s how different types of venues can start making practical changes today.
Restaurants
Restaurants face high volumes of food waste, energy use and packaging waste. Fortunately, small shifts in menu design, sourcing and back-of-house practices can lead to quick wins that benefit both margins and the environment. Sustainability in restaurants is about running a tighter, smarter kitchen that wastes less, serves better and earns more.
Examples of what restaurants can start doing today:
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Design smaller menus focused on seasonal ingredients to reduce spoilage and streamline prep.
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Switch from single-use plastic containers to reusable or compostable options.
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Source key ingredients like meat, dairy and veg from nearby suppliers to cut transport emissions. Tools like procurement software can help you compare suppliers automatically and highlight local options that also offer better value.
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Implement digital stock monitoring to catch expiring items before they become waste.
Want to learn more about reducing food waste? Check out our guide on 10 ways restaurants can reduce food waste.
Pubs and Bars
Pubs and bars often have less control over food waste but can make a big impact through how they manage drinks, energy use and supplier choices. The focus here is on simplifying operations, reducing overhead and using sustainability to stand out in a competitive market.
Examples of what pubs and bars can start doing today:
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Introduce beer or wine on tap to cut down on glass waste and delivery frequency.
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Use fresh ingredients for cocktails and find creative ways to reuse offcuts like citrus peels.
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Track temperature monitoring digitally to optimise cooler efficiency.
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Work with local brewers or distilleries to offer regionally sourced drinks.
Hotels
Hotels present a broader sustainability challenge due to their size and round-the-clock operations, but they also have more touchpoints where change is possible. From housekeeping routines to guest amenities and supplier partnerships, every area of hotel operations offers room for smarter, more sustainable choices.
Examples of what hotels can start doing today:
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Switch to refillable dispensers for toiletries instead of single-use plastic bottles.
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Train housekeeping staff to follow linen and towel reuse policies based on guest preference.
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Install occupancy sensors in guest rooms to reduce energy use when rooms are empty.
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Prioritise local, sustainable suppliers for breakfast and minibar offerings. A purchase-to-pay system can make this easier by generating supplier reports that reveal where local alternatives could improve both cost and quality.
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Introduce digital check-in and paperless billing to cut down on printing and waste.
3 ways digital tools are making sustainability simpler for operators
Sustainability only works when it fits into the day-to-day running of your venue. That means giving teams the right systems to reduce waste, save energy and manage suppliers without adding extra steps. Digital tools can take the pressure off by automating processes, improving visibility and helping you make better decisions.
1. Paperless operations
One of the fastest ways you can cut your environmental impact is by removing paper-based processes. By shifting daily tasks, compliance records and supplier documentation onto digital platforms, you reduce paper waste and improve accuracy at the same time.
This goes well beyond basic record-keeping. With the right tools, you gain real-time visibility across multiple sites, streamline communication between head office and teams and capture key sustainability metrics consistently across the business.
2. Smart stock management
Food waste is one of the biggest sustainability challenges in hospitality, but it’s also one you can address quickly with the right systems. Real-time stock monitoring helps you avoid over-ordering, and automated supplier management makes it easier to choose sustainable options every time.
When you combine this with waste tracking, you get a clear view of where waste is happening in your venue, so you can take focused action that reduces both your impact and your costs.
3. Real-time performance tracking
To make real progress, you need to see what’s working and where to improve. Digital platforms give you clear, real-time insights into key operational metrics like stock levels, compliance tasks and supplier performance, across all your sites.
You’ll be able to pinpoint where the biggest gains are, track results over time and build a stronger case for future investment in sustainability.
The move to digital sustainability represents more than just reducing paper use. It's about creating smarter, more efficient operations where sustainable choices become the default way of working.
Want to make your venue more sustainable - and more successful?
In this article, we've explored what sustainability means for hospitality businesses, from practical operational changes to the digital transformation that makes green practices possible. We've seen how restaurants, pubs, bars and hotels can take immediate action to reduce their environmental impact while improving efficiency and profitability.
At Access, we help venues make sustainable operations the norm through integrated digital solutions. With our solutions trusted by thousands of hospitality businesses, we understand what it takes to make sustainable practices stick.
Our hospitality software suite includes paperless task management to streamline daily operations, advanced stock control to minimise waste and procurement tools that help you make sustainable supplier choices.
Ready to start your sustainability journey? Visit our Sustainability Hub to learn more about how digital solutions can support your environmental goals or speak to our hospitality specialists about your specific needs.