Recycling, reusing, saving energy: “It’s just part of how we work now”

Wetherspoon is committed to reducing waste and energy consumption at its pubs and continues to foster its reputation for environmental responsibility among staff.

Team leader and energy, environment and recycling champion Diva, who works at The Knights Templar, shares their everyday eco-savvy experiences and the huge efforts being made, in a bid to inspire more teams to engage with the company’s important initiatives.

Diva writes:

Cutting waste, saving energy and making a difference. When I first started at Wetherspoon, I didn’t think much about where all of the kitchen waste went or how much power we were using.

Over time, though, I’ve seen how small changes can make a big difference – and how much effort actually goes into reducing waste, improving recycling and cutting energy use across the pubs.

One of the biggest shifts I’ve noticed is the move away from single-use plastics.

A decade ago, they were everywhere. Now – they’re practically gone.

We’ve switched to reusable alternatives, and almost everything we use in the kitchen is recycled or repurposed, from cardboard to cooking oil.

Food waste doesn’t just get binned – it is sent to anaerobic digestion facilities.

What really makes a difference is that Wetherspoon has made it easy to do things the right way.

The training we get is straightforward and practical, with everything set up to encourage better habits – from clear signage on bins to simple reminders about switching off equipment.

Even small things, such as making sure fridge vents are clear and setting taps to the right flow, have become second nature.

And I’m not the only one who is noticing it – our whole team is involved.

People actually want to get it right, because it’s well explained, easy to follow and just part of how we now work.

With better waste-sorting, more efficient equipment and a focus on making the most of resources, every pub plays a part in reducing unnecessary waste and cutting down on energy use.

I’ve seen these changes first hand, and I’m proud to be part of a team which is making a difference.

Whether it’s something as simple as training new staff on waste separation or spotting ways to save power, it all adds up.

And it’s not just at work – what I’ve learned about energy-efficiency has stuck with me, and I find myself applying it at home too.

I’m more mindful about energy use and finding better ways to reduce waste.

The way we work has changed for the better.

Waste isn’t just thrown away, energy isn’t wasted without thought and every team member plays a part in making smarter choices.

This isn’t a passing trend – it’s a real shift and is happening in every Wetherspoon pub, every day.