Janitorial & Pest Control

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Microfiber Cleaning Products Buying Guide

Microfiber Cleaning Products Buying Guide

Make dirt and dust disappear by using the right microfiber cleaning product! Not only are they easy to use and reusable, but they will leave your facility spotless. With our vast selection of microfiber wet mops, dry mops, cloths, and mitts, you are bound to find the right products to help maintain

Types of Mop Handles

Types of Mop Handles

Since cleanliness is a top priority for any facility, you'll want to select not only the best mop, but also the best mop handle, frame, and accessories, to meet your needs. The question is: what kind of handle will be the most useful, convenient, and cost effective for you and your business?

Can Liner Guide

Can Liner Guide

Choosing trash can liners may seem as simple as finding ones that will fit your trash can. However, there are a handful of terms with which you should become familiar, ensuring that your can liner selection will provide the best result at the best price!

Types of Mop Buckets and Wringers

Types of Mop Buckets and Wringers

Keeping your business clean is no simple task, but using the right mop bucket can make it easier. Whether you run a small business or large institution, a mop bucket and wringer is a necessary addition for everything from daily cleanings to surprise messes. This guide will cover the many different o

Commercial Vacuum Cleaners Buying Guide

Commercial Vacuum Cleaners Buying Guide

Whether you run a hotel, a janitorial service, or a restaurant of any size, there is one piece of cleaning equipment that you can't do without: a vacuum cleaner. By choosing the best commercial vacuums for your application, you can keep your floors sparkling, create an efficient cleaning system, and

Spill and Vomit Absorbents Buying Guide

Spill and Vomit Absorbents Buying Guide

From offices and school classrooms to storage areas and commercial kitchen floors, our selection of spill and vomit absorbents will help you easily and effectively clean up liquids and messes! They come in a variety of sizes and styles so you can find the best vomit cleaner, oil soaking pads, or oth

Bed Bug Mattress Encasements Guide

Bed Bug Mattress Encasements Guide

Whether you're operating a dormitory, 5 star hotel, or healthcare facility, bed bug infestations can happen at any time without warning. These tiny, blood-thirsty pests are difficult to treat and can damage the reputation that you've worked so hard to earn. Act proactively, ensure sanitation, and al

Foodservice Towels for Sanitation

Foodservice Towels for Sanitation

Foodservice towels and wipes are essential to several foodservice tasks, such as cleaning up spills, sanitizing food-contact surfaces, and dusting display counters. Using disposable and reusable foodservice towels can help your establishment abide by food safety guidelines . This guide outlines the

Types of Hand Dryers for Bathrooms

Types of Hand Dryers for Bathrooms

If you're looking to put money back into your business and see a return on your investment with your bathroom supplies, then it's time to make the switch to a hand dryer. Hand dryers are a zero waste, hygienic option for just about any business, delivering both cleanliness and peace of mind.

Trash Can / Recycling Bin Buying Guide

Trash Can / Recycling Bin Buying Guide

Proper recycling and waste disposal are critical for maintaining a clean business and property. At a glance, trash cans and recycling bins may just look like any other container. However, without looking more closely at some particular qualities of your cans, you could be choosing one that doesn't s

Floor Sweepers Buying Guide

Floor Sweepers Buying Guide

Floor sweepers are important for keeping any restaurant, café, or diner clean from everyday dust, dirt, and debris. To properly check off your cleaning list and keep your business in order, not only do you need to sweep indoors, but you also need to sweep your outdoor patio and sidewalk. Additionall

Janitorial Brush Buying Guide

Janitorial Brush Buying Guide

Nothing ruins the dining experience like messy floors, dusty windows, and dirty bathrooms. When a business is not clean, you start to question the management, the service, and ultimately the food. If that happens, the restaurant starts losing money. Taking the time to properly clean your restaurant

Types of Mops

Types of Mops

From busy kitchens to school hallways, mops are essential for keeping your floors sparkling clean. Sometimes it can seem like a never-ending task to keep up with your high-trafficked floors, but the right mop can make your floor cleaning easier and more effective. Learn all about the different types

Types of Soap Dispensers

Types of Soap Dispensers

With cleanliness being a top priority in any restaurant, hotel, school, or healthcare facility, it's important to provide your staff and guests with a way to effectively wash and sanitize their hands. Soap dispensers help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, thus reducing illnesses and sick day

Pest Control Products Guide

Pest Control Products Guide

Controlling and eliminating pests is important for all businesses, but it is especially critical in the food service and hospitality industries. The presence of pests is an indicator of uncleanliness and poor hygiene, which will damage your business's reputation. Pests also carry harmful diseases an

Types of Paper Towel Dispensers

Types of Paper Towel Dispensers

A paper towel dispenser is an essential element in any sanitary restaurant kitchen or office restroom. With a variety of options available, it is best to first decide where your paper towel dispenser will be located. Whether you are looking for a surface-mounted or countertop dispenser, we have a se

Types of Brooms

Types of Brooms

Brooms are one of the most basic but important tools in your janitorial arsenal, and they come in various forms to meet different needs. A broom that can perform the task at hand is vital to the sanitation and cleaning of any kitchen, restaurant, hotel, or office. We have a large selection of brooms

Restaurant Pest Control Tips

Restaurant Pest Control Tips

Pests present a major problem for restaurants and other businesses because a single pest sighting has the potential to ruin your establishment’s reputation. Not only are pests an unsightly visual, they often carry harmful diseases and bacteria. Although there are ways to deal with pest infestations, the ideal situation is to stop them before they occur. Thankfully, there is a handful of cleaning trends and preventative measures you can adopt to keep your business pest-free. Below we’ll cover several aspects of indoor pest control that can keep your customers and staff safe from pest infestations: Shop All Pest Control Products Use these links to learn more about indoor pest control: Restaurant Pest Control Most Common Pests Hotel Pest Control When to Call an Exterminator Restaurant Pest Control Pest control is vital to the success of any restaurant business, as failure to control pests can lead to a major loss of customers or even a complete shutdown of your business. Pest prevention can seem like an overwhelming task at first, especially when you consider all the ways pests can enter your restaurant. However, if you focus on cleanliness and sanitation in a handful of pest hot spots around the interior and exterior of your establishment, you should be able to stop pest infestations before they even begin. Interior Pest Control To deter pests from entering the interior of your establishment, you need to have regular cleaning and sanitizing throughout your business. Additionally, any major unexpected messes and spills need to be immediately addressed before they attract unwanted pests. Below, we’ve outlined a few interior locations that frequently attract pests and how you can prevent pests from appearing in these locations. Dining Areas - Seats and tables in dining areas should be wiped down promptly after guests are finished, getting rid of any crumbs and food waste. Areas beneath the table should be swept immediately after a party leaves as well, cleaning up any waste that may have fallen or spilled on the floor. Food Prep Areas - Equipment in your food prep areas should be cleaned and sanitized after use. Watch out for any crumbs, drips, or splashes that may have accumulated during the food prep process, as they can attract pests if not cleaned properly. Storage Areas - Dry food products should be kept in tightly-sealed food storage containers, preventing pests from accessing them. Food should be stored at least 6” off the ground and 12” away from walls, making it easy for staff to complete routine cleaning and inspection. Utilize the “First In First Out” inventory method to ensure that your food doesn’t remain in storage for long periods of time and attract pests. Trash Cans - To prevent pests from entering your waste areas, all trash cans in your establishment should have both liners and lids. These items make waste receptacles more sanitary and can prevent some pests from entering. Additionally, the trash cans themselves should be frequently washed and cleaned even after emptying, ensuring there is no remaining food or waste inside that could attract pests. Floor Drains - Floor drains are a breeding ground for pests like flies, so it's vital that you keep them clean. You should regularly check your floor drains to ensure that no loose debris like food is under the grate. Also, you can clean your floor grates with chemical cleaners, making them a much less attractive location for pests. Exterior Pest Control Although indoor pest control and outdoor pest control are handled differently, there is some overlap. Failure to properly maintain your establishment’s exterior can lead to pest infestations. These pests can then make their way indoors, creating several more pest problems. Below, we’ve outlined some outdoor problem areas that need to be addressed to keep your business pest free: Lighting - Many insects are attracted to light, causing them to cluster and swarm around light fixtures. Having an overwhelming amount of restaurant lighting directly around your business attracts pests like flies, creating potential problems. To offset this, use a minimal amount of lighting directly around your business, and instead install lighting fixtures a small distance away from your establishment. Waste Receptacles - Much like indoor waste receptacles, outdoor dumpsters have the potential to cause huge problems with pest control. To prevent pests from appearing around dumpsters, keep them closed at all times with tight-fitting lids. Dumpsters should also never overflow with waste and need to be frequently cleaned and sanitized. Keep dumpsters away from doors and entrances to your establishment, so even if they do attract pests, it won’t lead to an indoor infestation. Entrances and Exits - Entrances and exits are also a hotspot for pests, as they provide openings for outdoor pests to enter your establishment. To prevent unwanted pests from entering, doors and windows should be closed when possible. For further protection, you may want to use a door sweep to seal the gap between the bottom of your doors and the floor. In areas that are frequently opened for extended periods of time, investing in an air curtain is also a great way to keep flying pests away. Most Common Pests Equally as important as understanding pest control hot spots is understanding the most common pests you’ll likely encounter. Each type of pest poses a unique type of problem for your business. Although pests may vary depending on geography and business type, we've listed the most common pests you'll likely encounter: Rodents Rodents like mice and rats are some of the most well-known and common pests you’ll likely encounter. These pests signal that a location is unsanitary, meaning business will decrease if customers spot rodents in your establishment. Rodents aren’t just unpleasant to see, as they can also carry dangerous diseases such as salmonella, listeria, and E. Coli. Additionally, rodents can chew through food packaging and electrical wiring, causing a large amount of inventory and appliance damage. Check out our rodent control products to keep these pests under control. Cockroaches Cockroaches are another common type of pest that will likely trigger an immediate visceral reaction if seen by customers. These pests spread a variety of pathogens, putting your staff and customers in danger. Unfortunately, cockroaches are difficult to get rid of, as they can live weeks without food and water. In fact, some can even live without their head for weeks. To effectively combat a cockroach infestation, check out our crawling insect control products. Flies Customers may not be as appalled at seeing flies in your establishment as they would be if they saw rodents or cockroaches, but that doesn’t make flies any less dangerous to your business. Flies carry hundreds of diseases with them and easily contaminate foods by just landing on them. Since flies are so mobile, they can quickly spread pathogens all around your business. These pests are especially attracted to liquid sugary foods, so be sure to clean up spills immediately. Additionally, our flying insect control products can help keep your business free from flying pests. Stored Product Pests Stored product pests are a classification of pests that enter your business through packaged products like flour, grain, and nuts. Some examples of these types of pests include weevils, moths, beetles, and mites. Since these pests remain in stored products, they can be hard to discover. However, if they go unnoticed the bacteria these pests create can diminish the quality of your stored product, and may even lead to allergic reactions from customers. To combat stored product pests, you should inspect all incoming products to ensure no pests have stowed away. Additionally, existing inventory should be routinely checked for webbing, larvae, and other signs of infestation. Back to Top Hotel Pest Control Indoor pest control in the hospitality industry shares some similarities with restaurant pest control, but also presents its own unique challenges. Just like in restaurants, your business needs to be kept clean and problem areas addressed. However, additional methods need to be taken in hotel rooms and other lodgings, combating unique pests like bed bugs. Bed Bug Control Bed bugs are a major concern in the hospitality industry. Not only are these pests hard to detect, but they also require unique control methods to be dealt with. Although bed bugs may not spread disease as other pests do, they can still cause serious allergic reactions. Additionally, bed bugs are a ghastly sight for any guest in the hospitality industry, as it signals to the customer that the area is unsanitary and not properly taken care of. To prevent bed bugs, routine cleaning needs to be completed after every guest checks out. Staff should also be educated on the signs of bed bug infestation, making it easier for infestations to be identified. While completing tasks such as turndown service, staff should remain vigilant and be on the lookout for signs of bed bugs at all times. How Much Is Bed Bug Pest Control? Bed bugs are small, which usually makes them difficult to detect unless there is a large number of them. Unfortunately, by the time bed bugs become noticeable they have already spread in large numbers and are costly to get rid of. Extermination efforts usually cost around $200 to $400 per room, so if you have a large infestation in multiple areas it can be quite costly. These prices also don’t factor in the potential loss of income that comes from the reputational damage caused by infestations. How to Control a Bed Bug Infestation Some chemical products are specifically manufactured to combat bed bugs and can be used to fight infestations. You can also utilize special mattress and box spring encasements to trap existing bed bugs and keep new ones out. If you have a particularly bad bed bug infestation, you should immediately contact an exterminator to eliminate your pest problem. When to Call an Exterminator As soon as you start seeing signs of a pest infestation, you should get in contact with an exterminator. If signs of infestation are already visible to the naked eye, chances are it’s already a bad infestation. The longer you wait, the worse your pest infestation will become. You should also be wary of trying any DIY pest control methods, as items like traps and poisons can be extremely risky without the proper knowledge and research. When to Call an Exterminator for Mice If you see signs of mice infestation in your business, you should call an exterminator immediately. There are many signs that might signal a mouse infestation, so it’s important to be on the lookout. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common clues that could alert you to a mouse infestation: Seeing multiple mice over a short period of time. Spotting a mouse nest. Smelling strange odors such as mouse urine and feces. Noticing gnaw marks on bags of food and other packaging. When to Call An Exterminator for Roaches Roaches are extremely dangerous to the health of customers, so as soon as you see any signs of a roach infestation an exterminator needs to be called. Remaining vigilant and noticing the signs of a roach infestation is key to keeping customers safe. If you spot any of these signs, there is likely a roach infestation, and an exterminator should be called immediately. Spotting a roach. When there is one there are most likely several more. Finding shed skins. Roaches can shed their skin several times before reaching adulthood. Smelling foul odors. Roaches are known to emit a foul musty odor that is quite noticeable, especially in large numbers. When to Call An Exterminator for Ants Ants are crawling pests like cockroaches, but they don’t carry quite the same danger. If planned carefully, some ant problems can be handled in-house. However, there are a few situations where an ant infestation requires an exterminator’s help. If any of the following occurs, you should call an exterminator as soon as possible: If multiple infestations occur or DIY pest control repeatedly fails. If the ant infestation contains a dangerous variety of ants like fire ants. If the ant infestation poses a threat to your building's structural integrity. Much like termites, some types of ants like carpenter ants can borrow through wood and harm the structure of your building. Back to Top No matter what type of business you operate, indoor pest control is a vital part of your business. For restaurants, the food you serve customers needs to be kept safe from the dangerous pathogens pests carry. In all businesses, indoor pest sightings can permanently ruin your establishment’s reputation and may even result in permanent closure. To keep your customers and staff safe, follow standard pest control and sanitation procedures in your establishment. Doing so can you save you from major problems in the future.

Fire Extinguisher Reviews

Fire Extinguisher Reviews

Having a fire extinguisher on-hand is crucial to the safety of your staff and customers, regardless of your business type. There are fire extinguishers that are designed to fight a wide range of fire classes and some that are specifically designed for commercial kitchens. Our fire extinguisher revie

Gloves Reviews

Gloves Reviews

Find the best leather gloves, kitchen gloves, and disposable gloves for your business with our wholesale gloves reviews. We make it easy for you to choose the perfect gloves by breaking down the benefits of different styles of work gloves. Compare gloves sizes, glove materials, and application so yo

Commercial Generators Reviews

Commercial Generators Reviews

If you’re ready to invest in a commercial generator for your business, make sure you’re getting the features that you need! We carry generators from trusted brands that you can rely on when your power goes off-grid. Our generator reviews help you narrow down the variety of models to find the best un

Commercial Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

Commercial Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

We want to save you time and help you choose the best commercial vacuum cleaner for your business. Our commercial vacuum reviews compare the features of popular vacuum brands like Sanitaire, Bissell, and Hoover. Find out what customers think about the best industrial vacuum cleaners and learn the an

Housekeeping Checklist

Housekeeping Checklist

We've created a housekeeper checklist to help your cleaning staff prepare rooms in a quick and efficient manner. Hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals rely on their housekeeping staff to ensure that rooms and rentals are spotless and well-stocked with amenities. In addition to an organized cleaning cart, providing a housekeeping checklist that outlines all housekeeping duties will help keep your staff on track. Whether you operate a small boutique hotel or have just started a vacation rental business, a proper housekeeping checklist helps improve staff efficiency and provides a cleaner experience for guests. Click below for a downloadable housekeeping checklist template you can give to your employees: Download our Housekeeper Checklist PDF Hotel Room Cleaning Checklist Before entering a guest's room and beginning the hotel room cleaning checklist, members of the cleaning staff should knock on the door and identify themselves. If guests are still present in the room, ask if they need clean towels or any other amenities. Go to the next room on the to-do list and return later if possible. If possible, open the windows and air out the room Check the thermostat, air conditioner, and lights to ensure they work properly Replace any flickering or burnt out bulbs Test the drapes to make sure they slide easily Look over the walls and ceilings for dust or cobwebs Dust all appliances, fixtures, and furniture Clean the coffee maker Remove any dirty dishes and bowls from room service Check the refrigerator for any items left behind by previous guests Clean the microwave Clean mirrors and glass surfaces Wipe down the telephone Ensure closet is stocked with hangers and luggage racks Remove trash from trash cans and fit with new liners Vacuum the room Deodorize the room Hotel Bedroom Cleaning Checklist Always remake beds with fresh linens after guests have checked out. If guests are staying, change linens every third day or as needed. Look under the bed for any misplaced items Strip the bed of all linens and pillow cases Lay down a fresh fitted sheet Lay down a clean flat sheet Tuck the sheets under the foot of the bed to make neat hospital corners Put clean pillowcases on the pillows Turn the open ends of the pillowcase so they face the edges of the bed Cover the bed with a clean duvet and smooth out any wrinkles Bathroom Cleaning Checklist Take special care while cleaning and sanitizing the bathroom. It's a good practice to review the room after you've finished in order to check for anything you may have forgotten. Remove any used towels Look for any signs of water leaks from bathroom fixtures Clean the shower and bathtub then wipe down with a dry cloth Scrub and disinfect the toilet bowl Clean and sanitize the toilet seat, lid, and handle Clean mirrors Clean the vanity top and sink Clean floor tiles and grout Inspect the bathroom and remove any stray hairs Remove trash from trash cans and fit with new liners Deodorize the bathroom Replace All Amenities After you have cleaned the entire guest room, it's time to replace any hotel amenities that have been used. Five-star hotels may offer more items than those listed, but the essentials should remain fully supplied at all times. Keep your cart stocked with these items to ensure expediency: Coffee cups Coffees and filters Tea bags Sugar, creamer, and stirrers Ice buckets and liners Drinking cups Stationary and pen Hotel information pamphlets or booklets Dry cleaning bags Shampoo and conditioner Soaps and lotion Tissues Toilet paper Clean towels Vacation Rental Cleaning Checklist Unlike in hotels, you’ll only be cleaning a vacation rental between check-ins. Even if you've taken the necessary steps to make your vacation rental stand out, a thorough cleaning checklist is still vital in order to leave a positive first impression with your next guests. Remove all items left by the previous guests Change the sheets and blankets Make the bed Vacuum or mop all floors in the vacation rental Clean and sanitize the bathroom Dust in needed areas Clean out appliances such as the refrigerator and freezer so that no items are left over Wipe down the inside of appliances such as the microwave and oven Ensure all the essential vacation rental supplies and amenities are restocked Empty trash receptacles Wipe down tabletops Inspect hidden areas like under the bed to ensure you don’t miss anything Using a cleaning checklist helps to keep your cleaning staff on track and ensure that all areas of guest rooms are properly cleaned. By standardizing your housekeeping cleaning list, you can facilitate successful training for all new employees and provide helpful reminders for your seasoned staff.

Concession Stand Food Safety

Concession Stand Food Safety

From baseball to soccer or football to hockey, every sport has one thing in common. Concession stands are a staple at any sporting event, offering anything from popcorn and pretzels to cheesesteaks and corn dogs. But is your concession stand practicing proper food safety? Concession stands can be especially susceptible to issues with under-trained staff, the weather, and pests. Keep reading to learn how you can ensure proper food safety is practiced at your concession stand. Offer Proper Training for Employees Because concession stands are only open during specific seasons and sporting events, chances are they aren’t run by a full-time staff. While there may be one consistent owner or manager, the food will most likely be prepared and served by volunteers with no food experience or part-time employees.Since concession stands don’t have the normal staffing a restaurant does, the same person could be handling multiple tasks including cleaning, cooking, and manning the cash register. Here are a few other guidelines for your employees to following during their shift: Do not consume personal food inside the concession standAlways wear latex gloves when preparing food and wash hands after handling money at the cash registerUnderstand and follow all HACCP proceduresDo not allow any non-employed people in the concession stand areaPrepare for All Weather TypesSporting events happen all year round, which means if your stand is outdoors or partially outdoors, you need to be prepared for any type of weather. This includes wind, sun, rain, and even snow. And with extreme weather temperatures comes the possibility for time-temperature control, or TCS, food to be stored and served improperly.Keep Cold Foods ColdWhen dealing with extreme heat, it’s imperative you prepare your concession stand with the right equipment to keep cold foods cold. Do not allow condiments, fruits, vegetables, or prepared foods such as salads or sides to sit out on the counter when not in use. Equip your concession stand with a cooler or refrigerator to ensure these foods stay at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.Keep Hot Foods HotSimilarly, keep your freshly prepared hot food hot when it is waiting to be served. If you’re going to offer hot foods, ensure your concession stand is equipped with electricity to operate heat lamps or food warmers designed to hold food at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Diligently check foods every hour or every two hours because factors such as rain or wind can lower the ambient temperature and affect your hot foods.Serve Foods with Little Preparation Needed Most concession stands are tight on space and run by employees with limited kitchen knowledge or skills. Therefore, it makes sense to offer foods that need very little preparation or holding constraints. This reduces the chance for cross-contamination during food prep as well as the effort put in to properly prepare and hold TCS foods. Foods that require little preparation and offer high-profit margins include: Soft and hard pretzels Popcorn Nachos Cotton candy If you do choose to make menu offerings with perishable items, make sure you are up to date on food safety guidelines to serve safe food. Always mark the day the meat was cooked and when it should be disposed of. This is especially important if your stand is operated by a volunteer rotation or multiple employees.Combat Pests A large problem any time of year, outdoor pests can easily sneak, slither, or fly into your concession stand kitchen undetected. If you operate an outdoor concession stand, your kitchen may be especially susceptible to insects and animals.Stay proactive by consistently pest-proofing your stand. Here are a few ways you can keep pests from invading your space:Check your structure for holes or other possible areas of entryEnsure your stand is airtight when employees lock-up for the nightPlace traps around your stand designed to capture crawling and flying insects or rodentsStore leftover food in airtight containersKeep stored food off the ground at least six inchesThoroughly wipe down all surfaces and immediately clean spillsRemove trash after serviceAlthough your concession stand may not feel like it, you’re still operating a commercial kitchen with a social responsibility to feed your customers food that’s safe. Because of this, you need to follow normal kitchen safety practices and cleaning routines. Follow the above guidelines when it comes to preparing your concession stand for the next home game to ensure you're offering safe, delicious food for your customers.

Restaurant Recycling

Restaurant Recycling

It is estimated that just one full service restaurant can create over 2,000 pounds of total disposed waste a week. If this fact is alarming to you, perhaps it’s time to consider how your food establishment can recycle all that waste. While you may think that the steps to becoming an eco-friendly restaurant are time consuming and costly, you’d be surprised at how easy it is and how much money you can save. Follow the recycling program ideas below to get your restaurant headed in a greener direction. Shop All Recycling Bins What Materials Can Your Restaurant Recycle? Before you begin your restaurant’s recycling program, find out what materials your current waste management provider recycles and how they need to be separated. Once you figure out what can be recycled, talk to both your front- and back-of-house staff so they understand how to properly dispose of recyclables. Also, be sure to emphasize to your employees the importance of rinsing out containers before tossing them in their respective bins. Any food particles left behind on recycled items can contaminate and ruin the recycling batch, so it’s best to have them cleaned up before they’re collected. Most accepted recyclables are made of aluminum, steel, paper, and cardboard. Plastic products, like bottles, jars, and jugs can also be recycled, but plastic bags and items made of Styrofoam aren’t often collected by recycling facilities since they can be difficult to recycle into new material. If your collector does not take aluminum or steel cans, investigate your local area for businesses that will buy them instead. While glass items can be recycled, it’s important to check if they should be sorted by color. How to Recycle Food Waste Restaurant food waste can be broken down into pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. Pre-consumer food waste includes anything thrown away before food is served to guests, like rotten food that wasn't used, byproducts from the prep process, or the packaging your ingredients came in. Post-consumer food waste includes the food scraps guests leave behind. Before any steps are taken in recycling pre- and post-consumer waste, it’s important to run a food waste audit on your restaurant to pinpoint the type and volume of food being thrown out. While food waste may not immediately seem harmful to the environment, decaying fruits and vegetables emit methane gas, which is a major greenhouse gas. This is especially alarming considering that 40% of all food in the United States goes uneaten. Instead of letting your restaurant’s food pile up in a landfill, consider one of the many ways that it can be recycled: Recycling Pre-Consumer Food Waste Avoid ordering extra produce: Even if your supplier is offering a special where you can get more produce for a low price, don’t do it unless your restaurant actually needs it. This way you prevent excess produce from spoiling before it is ever used. Bulk order items with a stable shelf life: Ordering products that have a longer shelf life in high quantities requires less packaging, creating less waste. Use day of the week stickers: Place stickers on items after you buy or prepare them, so you know when they’re close to their expiration date. Also, rotate items nearing expiration to the front of the fridge so they’re used first. Make use of every part of your ingredients: Stalks of fruits and veggies are often considered useless and are thrown away. Instead of sending these components to the trash, use them for extra seasoning in soups and sauces or as a garnish on dishes. Many animal parts are also thrown away even though they can be used to make stock or dishes like porchetta and head cheese. Donate to a good cause: Should you still have too much product, look into donating the leftovers to a food bank or shelter. Recycling Post-Consumer Food Waste Offer guests take-out containers: Did you know the average guest leaves behind about 17% of their meal? Instead of just throwing the scraps into the trash, give your guest a carry-out box, so they can take your tasty meals home to eat when they’re feeling less full. Make sure to order boxes that are appropriately sized, that way you can cut down on waste created from the containers. Start composting: This is an inventive recycling method that turns organic materials like egg shells and animal bones into nutrient-rich soil. To start composting, all you need is an aerated bin for your compostable materials and an area where the new soil can be protected from harsh weather. If you don’t have the space for your own compost, check with your current waste management provider to see if they offer any compost haul away services that you can add to your current plan. Additional Eco-Friendly Steps As mentioned above, it’s extremely difficult to recycle Styrofoam. Even after 500 years, Styrofoam boxes and cups that aren’t recycled will still be on our planet because the material can’t be broken down by light, which is key in the decomposition process. However, there are many other disposable container options that are eco-friendly, recyclable, or even zero-waste. While these disposable products are a great alternative to other options, try slowly switching over to non-disposable servingware, such as plastic and melamine plates. Don’t forget to get guests involved with your recycling program by fitting a recycling station, bin, or can in your usual trash disposal area. Whether you decide to use all or just one of these recycling program options, you’ll be putting a green foot forward in creating a cleaner environment. When it comes to waste in your restaurant, always remember the old saying: reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Toilet Paper Dispenser Guide

Toilet Paper Dispenser Guide

Determining the proper size and type of commercial toilet paper holder for your business' restrooms requires careful consideration of how often the restroom will be used, how often it will be maintained, and how much space is available for the toilet paper dispenser. Toilet paper dispensers come in

How to Choose Floor Pads

How to Choose Floor Pads

You have floor cleaning machines to keep your floors in great shape, but equally important is selecting the best floor scrubber pads for your needs. Choosing a floor cleaning machine pad that's too weak will have no effect and will waste both time and money, while choosing a pad that's too aggressiv

Backpack Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

Backpack Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

Keep the floor surfaces in your restaurant, warehouse, hotel, or office building clean and free of dust with a backpack vacuum. Backpack vacuums can be used on a variety of floor types, including tile, carpet, and hardwood. Not only are these vacuums efficient, powerful, and comfortable, but they al

Carpet Sweeper Reviews

Carpet Sweeper Reviews

Keep the hardwood, carpet, tile, or vinyl floors in your foodservice establishment clean by using a floor sweeper. These items have low-profile designs, so you can easily sweep underneath of chairs and tables. They also operate more quietly than vacuum cleaners, so you don’t have to worry about dis

Learn everything you need to know about keeping your establishment clean and pest free with our janitorial and pest control resources. We have guides to help you pick the best cleaning equipment and products for your business as well as advice and tips for how to keep pesky rodents and other pests out of your facilities.

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