Restaurants get greener but miss out on help, finds Gram report

Restaurateurs are more proactive in adopting green policies than they were in 2008, but they remain largely unaware of initiatives to help them buy eco-friendly products and make the best choices, according to research by low-energy refrigeration supplier Gram UK.

In an in-depth, restaurant-specific update on its http://www.acr-news.com/awards/winners.asp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">second Green Paper of 2010](http://www.gogreenwithgram.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38&Itemid=27), based on industry-wide telephone interviews with 600 operators across six sectors, Gram found that 62% of respondents were now recycling and 18% were engaged in energy-saving measures (a significant rise on the 4% recorded in 2008).

The company also noted an increase in the purchase of energy-efficient equipment in restaurants.

However, it emerged that 75% of respondents did not know that the government provided loans to help them buy energy-efficient equipment and 78% were unaware of the [Energy Technology List,](http://www.eca.gov.uk/etl) designed to help them choose greener appliances. No one questioned had made use of the list.

"Consumer demand is continuing to drive the need for higher green standards within the restaurant sector and more and more restaurateurs are starting to realise that sustainability and green initiatives are both good for business and good for the bottom line," said Glenn Roberts, managing director at Gram UK.

For a copy of the Green Paper, call 01322 616 900 or email [info@gramuk.co.uk ](mailto:info@gramuk.co.uk)[ACR Awards, which are run by ACR News.

The energy-saving and environmentally-friendly appliance was praised for being smaller and more functional than its predecessor while selling at a lower entry price.

Gram, which has 30 products on the Carbon Trust's Energy Technology List, was also a finalist in the Environmental Initiative of the Year award.