Thank you to the 135 people who responded to our Sustainability Survey and congratulations to the winners of our random drawing! Our $25 Volante Farms gift card winners are Lynn Klatt and Donna McCabe, and NHS senior Harper Schneiderman won a $50 gift card and the book “The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late” by Judith Enck with Adam Mahoney.
The survey focused on how business sustainability practices influence consumer purchasing decisions. The results were very interesting and we’re excited to share them with you. Below are a few highlights. You can access the full survey results here.
Residents were asked how important it is for a business or food establishment to implement sustainability practices such as reducing waste, reducing single-use plastics, sourcing local food or using eco-friendly packaging. 67.5% of respondents believe that it is very important or extremely important that a business has implemented sustainability practices, with over 90% stating it’s moderately to extremely important.
A majority of respondents (81.2%) feel there isn’t enough information available to determine whether restaurants incorporate sustainability practices into their daily operations, though a few establishments, including Volante Farms, Just Salad, The Farmhouse and The James, stood out. A whopping 91.8% of people surveyed suggested they would be more likely to patronize an establishment that is environmentally sustainable. In fact, almost half (46.7%) would be willing to pay an additional 10% or more for food or beverages if a restaurant can demonstrate that they incorporate sustainability into their business practices. Keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages for Sustainability Shoutouts for restaurants that are making great strides towards sustainability and reducing waste!
Here are survey respondents’ top 3 most important sustainable practices:
- Donating unused food (84.4%)
- Reducing single-use plastics (83.7%)
- Composting food waste (68.9%)
76.8% of respondents said they would be likely or very likely to participate in a sustainability rewards program, like bringing their own refillable mug for a small discount.
Overall, the survey demonstrates that sustainability impacts where people choose to spend their money. Residents value eco-friendly practices, want more information from businesses regarding sustainability practices, and are willing to reward those businesses with loyalty and increased spending. For local food establishments, clearly communicating and strengthening sustainability initiatives isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for business, too.
Documentary Recommendation:
Don’t miss The Plastic Detox, a Netflix documentary investigating how everyday plastic exposure affects human health and fertility. View the trailer here.
