Checklist

Sustainability Quick Wins Checklist

Practical, low‑disruption actions to reduce waste and energy. Record implementation status, estimated costs, expected savings, and priority — then save the results for follow-up, pilots, or ROI tracking.

Interactive Tool

Sustainability Quick Wins Checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate, prioritize, and track a set of practical sustainability opportunities that typically have low disruption and clear payback. For each item, mark whether you plan to pilot or implement it, capture expected cost and annual savings, assign a priority, and add notes. Save the checklist to build local data you can use for pilots, reporting, and ROI review.

Which restaurant, site, or unit is completing this checklist?
Date of this assessment (YYYY-MM-DD).
Audit common dishes for portion variance; use scales, training, and plating guides.
Training, scales, portion tools, printed guides.
How much food cost or waste reduction do you expect per year?
What will you test first? Who needs to be involved?
Test a small-scale compost collection for prep and plate scraps, or partner with a hauler.
Collection bins, training, hauler fees for pilot.
Reduced landfill fees, potential diverted-waste credits, or lower disposal costs.
Log hauler contact, local regulations, and contamination risks.
Plan a lighting retrofit or phased replacement of fixtures. Consider rebate programs.
Fixture and installation estimates. Include rebate assumptions separately if known.
Estimate based on current energy spend or kWh reduction.
Rebates, installer contacts, and areas to prioritize (kitchen, dining, storage).
Replace inefficient spray valves to cut water use and energy for heating.
Parts and installation cost for valves on dishwashing lines.
Estimate savings from reduced water and hot-water usage.
Consider compatibility with existing equipment and staff training.
Assess suppliers for excess packaging, recyclable materials, and takeback options.
Staff time for review, sample testing, or switching small suppliers.
Savings from reduced waste handling or lower unit costs for different packaging.
List suppliers to target, sample dates, and acceptance criteria.
Use: Payback months = Estimated implementation cost ÷ Estimated annual savings. Note non-monetary benefits (guest perception, compliance, reduced risk).
Who will lead the pilot or implementation?
When do you plan to complete pilot or roll-out? (YYYY-MM-DD)
Rate how important these quick wins are for this location.
Constraints, approvals needed, local regulations, or next steps.
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