At the federal level, the Australian government launched the National Plastics Plan 2021 identifying the government’s goals to “reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates”; “find alternatives to the plastics we don’t need”; and “reduce the amount of plastics affecting our environment.”
The National Waste Policy Action Plan also named the specific plastic product types to be phased out nationally by 2025. These are lightweight plastic bags; plastic straws; plastic utensils and stirrers; expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food containers (e.g. cups and clamshells); EPS consumer goods packaging; plastic products falsely termed as ‘degradable’; and microbeads in personal health care products.
HOW THE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN AFFECTS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Moving forward, businesses are encouraged to avoid these single-use items entirely by switching to reusable alternatives. If this is not possible, the items can be replaced with acceptable single-use alternatives, like items made of bamboo & cellulose or other biodegradable materials with a less environmental impact.
Restaurants, cafes and food service businesses transitioning to “greener” alternatives will be confronted with a high workload during peak periods, since washing dishes needs both time and labour, both of which have associated costs.
WHY HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES SHOULD USE DISHWASHERS
The Australian regulation banning single-use plastics highlights the significance of having a professional dishwashing equipment. Commercial dishwashers are now more important than ever for businesses in the Hospitality industry to effectively manage the increasing workload in the kitchen, particularly during busy times. Here are the top five reasons for owning a commercial dishwasher.
1. PROVIDE EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
The removal of a wide variety of plastic products from the market will put an increased burden on businesses who are unable to switch to new, environmentally friendly materials during peak hours since they will have to wash more traditional plates, glasses and cutlery, which will slow down operations.
The importance of a dishwasher is then crucial for ensuring top-notch customer service and for freeing up staff time for more productive tasks.
2. ENSURE HYGIENE STANDARDS
Manual washing of dishes and glasses does not ensure the thorough elimination of microorganisms, which is very important especially in this post-pandemic period where hygiene and safety requirements is at all-time high.
However, the use of a commercial dishwasher particularly those with rinse temperature of 84°C or higher, guarantees hygienic results and complete removal of bacteria.
The warewashing technology from MEIKO is especially effective at inactivating microbes as confirmed by expert opinion.
3. REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF RESOURCES
Contrary to popular belief, using a commercial dishwasher offers better wash results than manual dishwashing while also consuming less water, energy and other products like detergent and rinse aid. This means significantly less environmental impact.
In addition, commercial dishwashers with heat recovery technology can capture the hot steam inside the wash chamber and recycle it to product thermal energy, reducing the machine’s power consumption and achieving substantial energy and cost savings.
4. REDUCE LABOUR COST
A commercial dishwasher can drastically lower all labour expenses because it can largely do the tasks faster and more efficient than when manually done by staff.
Dishwashers with reverse osmosis technology bring out ready-to-use glasses right away after washing, ensuring there are always clean glasses available even during peak times. This feature filters out impurities in water, removing limescale and minerals that makes your glasses, crockery and cutlery dull and cloudy.
Staff no longer have to spend their time manually polishing plates and glasses for hours each day. This also reduces the possibility of glass breakage that can lead to injury and lower stress levels throughout everyday operations. They now more time for more important tasks.
Hear the MEIKO GiO benefits from one of our satisfied sustomers based in Sydney
5. REQUIRES A SMALL FOOTPRINT
Today’s commercial dishwasher performance isn't only dependent on their size, making them incredibly effective and dependable regardless of their dimensions. As a result, they present the ideal solution for even the smallest kitchen, where space is at a premium.
GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
In order to maintain smooth operations, provide proper service, and adhere to ever-higher hygiene standards, the hospitality sector needs to have reliable dishwashing equipment. This lowers overall operational costs and ensures minimal energy, water, detergent, and rinse aid consumption.
Additionally, as more customers choose to support businesses who are implementing “green” solutions, a dishwasher enables you to continue using reusable crockery and glassware. This reduces plastic waste paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Talk to one of our experts about washing reusable items to find the best workflow for your business. Send us your questions now.
