What are the most effective strategies for identifying inventory waste in your establishment?

1 Track your inventory

The first step to identify inventory waste is to track your inventory accurately and regularly. You need to know how much inventory you have, where it is stored, how long it lasts, and how much you use. You can use software, spreadsheets, or manual systems to record your inventory data, but make sure they are consistent and updated. Tracking your inventory will help you monitor your stock levels, avoid overordering, and identify any discrepancies or losses.

3 Implement FIFO and portion control

FIFO stands for first in, first out, and it is a principle of inventory management that ensures that the oldest items are used or sold first. FIFO can help you reduce inventory waste by minimizing spoilage, expiration, and obsolescence. You can implement FIFO by labeling your inventory with dates, rotating your stock, and using or selling the items with the nearest expiry date first. Portion control is another strategy that can help you reduce inventory waste by ensuring that you serve or use the right amount of food or beverage for each order or recipe. Portion control can help you avoid overproduction, overfilling, or overserving, which can lead to waste and loss of revenue. You can implement portion control by using standardized recipes, measuring tools, scales, or pre-portioned packages.

4 Train your staff

Your staff are an essential part of your inventory waste reduction efforts. They are responsible for ordering, storing, handling, preparing, and serving your inventory. Therefore, you need to train them on how to avoid or minimize inventory waste and how to follow your inventory management policies and procedures. You can train your staff by providing them with clear guidelines, instructions, and feedback, as well as incentives, rewards, or recognition for reducing inventory waste. You can also involve your staff in your waste audit and improvement plans and encourage them to share their ideas and suggestions.

5 Donate or recycle your excess inventory

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may end up with excess inventory that you cannot use or sell. Instead of throwing it away, you can donate or recycle it. Donating your excess inventory can help you support your community, reduce your environmental impact, and save on disposal costs. You can donate your excess inventory to food banks, charities, or other organizations that accept food or beverage donations. Recycling your excess inventory can help you recover some of its value, reduce your waste volume, and conserve resources. You can recycle your excess inventory by composting, anaerobic digestion, or converting it into animal feed, biofuel, or other products.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?