Too busy to care about waste? Think again
“I don’t have time for that.”
“We’re slammed.”
“We just need to get through service.”
Sound familiar?
If you're running a fast-paced kitchen, food waste can feel like the last thing on your priority list. But here's the truth:
If you’re too busy to care about food waste, you’re probably wasting more than just food.
Let’s break it down.
Waste Hurts When You’re Busy
When things move fast, waste gets worse. Why?
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Prep is done in bulk “just in case”
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No time to label, rotate, or store correctly
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Portion sizes go unchecked
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Leftovers pile up and get ignored
And what does that lead to?
Lost time. Lost money. Lower margins.
The Hidden Cost of “Just Push Through”
Let’s say your kitchen throws out £100 of food a day.
That’s £3,000 a month, gone.
Food you paid for, prepped, stored, and then... threw away.
Now imagine putting that money toward:
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Staff wages
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Better ingredients
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Equipment upgrades
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Profit
Still think you’re “too busy” to care?
Small Habits That Save Time and Reduce Waste
Here’s the good news: tackling food waste doesn’t mean adding work.
In fact, it saves time when done right.
Try these low-effort changes:
🕒 Use a daily waste log (1 minute at end of shift)
Spot patterns. Fix the real issues.
🍽 Watch what comes back on plates
Cut portions or swap out sides no one eats.
🧊 Label and rotate during slow moments
Even 5 minutes of proper storage can prevent spoilage.
🛒 Order based on history, not hunches
Use your data, not guesswork, to restock.
Final Word: You’re Too Busy Not to Care
Every wasted ingredient is wasted time—on ordering, prepping, storing, and cleaning up.
So if your kitchen is under pressure, cutting food waste is exactly what you need to do.
It’s not a side project.
It’s not a “sustainability” extra.
It’s good business.
