How to reduce restaurant food waste

Nobody in the food service industry wants to see edible food go to waste – especially if you pay by weight for your bins or skips to be emptied – but how do you prevent customers from leaving unwanted remnants on their plates?

Here are ten ways to tackle the issue head-on, some of which are relatively innovative, while others are simple common sense.

  1. Portion Control

The most obvious way to avoid food waste is to keep portions under better control. That doesn’t mean skimping on the quantities you serve, but if customers rarely finish their food, you may be serving too much.

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How to recycle DVDs and CDs

DVDs and CDs take up much less space than old VHS tapes and audio cassettes – especially when stored without a protective jewel case – but with 2017 marking both the 35th anniversary of the creation of compact discs, and the 20th anniversary of DVDs reaching American markets (followed a year later by Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia), it’s no surprise that many of us have mounting numbers of unwanted discs to deal with.

The formats have been largely superseded by high-density formats like Blu-ray, which itself marked its tenth anniversary in 2016, but also by the use of cloud storage and portable storage on devices like smartphones.

So how can you dispose of CDs and DVDs in an eco-friendly way? The analogue formats that preceded them – such as VHS tapes – are now rarely recycled, and unfortunately optical media is going the same way.

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Farmer blocks fly tipper

A fast-thinking farmer made headlines after using his tractor and trailer to block the exit of a white van caught red-handed fly tipping on his land.

The incident near Selby, just south of York, made local and national headlines as the farmer was praised for taking steps to prevent the culprit from leaving after dumping a load of rubbish in his field.

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How to plan for a loft conversion

Loft conversions are a wonderful way to add more space to your home without the need to move house, meaning you can stay put for many years to come. Converted lofts are ideal for an extra bedroom, if you’ve got a growing family, and are also perfect as a living room, a study, or even a games room. While they are a great solution to the problem of space, there are a few things you need to be aware of before any building work begins.

1. Check you can accommodate a staircase

This may seem obvious, but it’s not just any staircase you will need; it’s a permanent one. This means you need plenty of available space for the staircase in the below room.

2. Check if you need planning permission

Most loft conversions don’t require planning permission, but it is still an important thing to check before you get started with researching the idea any further. A quick check with your local council could avoid a legal nightmare further down the line.

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5 tasks to complete before starting building work

Whether you’re having work done to your own house or a commercial property, there are certain things you need to know and do before any work can commence. Read through our five key points and get prepared for any future building work you might be planning.

1. Check the legalities

As the owner of the property, it is your responsibility to comply with all the relevant planning rules and building regulations when undertaking any building work. You may also need to check land boundaries and apply for planning permission. Additionally, you may want to consider extra insurance, depending on the work that is being done.

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Can you recycle your coffee cup?

A morning coffee is an essential part of the wake-up routine for many people, and the proliferation of high-quality takeaway coffee houses in towns and city centres nationwide has meant that it’s easier than ever to get that cuppa – albeit a paper one – during your commute, rather than having to contend with pods and filter papers at home within moments of opening your eyes.

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How landlords can attract new tenants

First time buyers are getting older, more families are renting now than ten years ago, and fewer private renters expect to ever own their own home. While this may be bad news for some, for a landlord or lady like yourself, this can only be music to your ears! The rental sector is currently booming. But how do you encourage potential tenants to view and choose your property to rent, instead of the seven other properties on the same street? These tips and tricks should help you to receive a constant cash flow.

Prior to property viewings

If your property has been sat empty for a while, arrive early to open the windows and air the rooms, and collect any post that has arrived. If your previous tenant has just moved out, you have some work to do!

Image credit: Voy
Image credit: Voy

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Best Food Apps for food waste

There are all kinds of New Year’s resolutions to make associated with food – eating less or aiming for a more balanced diet, cooking from ingredients rather than processed foods, buying local produce to reduce your carbon footprint, and so on.

Here are some of the best Food Apps for food waste, which doesn’t necessarily mean cutting down on the amount of your own food you waste, but can also mean working with local businesses to make better use of food resources overall.

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