Association update

Wash your coff ee down the right way

Operators wanting to fully wake up their coffee sales after lockdown – all while minimising their environmental impact - can now call upon on a new, low cost piece of equipment designed to effortlessly catch disregarded coffee grounds before they reach the drainage system.

Sustainably produced coffee may be in demand, but having coffee grounds clogging up commercial drainage systems defeats the purpose, paving the way for the new Filta Coffee Catcher, say the equipment’s creators, Filta Environmental (www.fi lta. co.uk, specialist in innovative grease management systems in foodservice). Crucially, the high performing equipment removes 99% of coffee grounds and debris particles, dramatically reducing blockages, odours, corrosion and costly call-out charges, claim the company.

Lee Shelton head of sales of Filta Environmental said: “The UK drinks approximately 95 million cups of coffee a day, according to the British Coffee Association, but consumers have become acutely aware of the environmental and ethical issues, resulting in demand shifting towards specialty coffees that take this into account.

“However, there is little point in investing in sustainable coffees if you don’t also have systems in place to protect the environment – it’s not just fat, oils and grease that cause widespread problems.

“As outlets fully open up and coffee machines start spluttering back into life with gusto, it is an ideal time for operators to look at how they can adopt environmental best practice, and avoid the costly exercise of unblocking drains and fi nes from failing to comply with health and safety regulations.” Particularly benefi cial for coffee shops, cafés, restaurants and hotels, which have large volumes of coffee grinds passing into the drainage system, the new Filta Coffee Catcher is made in the UK from food grade 304 stainless steel, meaning operators can minimise their carbon footprint even further. And in acknowledging the industry’s fi nancial struggles over the past year, the new piece of space-saving equipment is available to buy at a low cost of £445 including carriage, including a 30-day supply of micro fi lters.

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Association update

CUSTOMER REGISTRATION

An updated QR poster for hospitality businesses has been launched by the government for registering customers visiting restaurants, cafés etc. (available from the government web site). Under the new rules, all hospitality businesses – excluding takeaways/grab-n-go operations – must collect the contact details of all the customers attending their premises (not just the party leader), and they must turn anyone away who refuses to give their details, but you cannot force anyone to give their details.

Customers can either log in via a QR Code poster or their details need to be gathered in another way, either upon entry or in advance (such as via a ticket sale). The regulations requiring this are currently due to stay in force until the end of September.

ALL RETAILERS, TAKEAWAYS AND RESTAURANTS MUST CHARGE FOR CARRIER BAGS

With effect from 21 May 2021, all restaurants, takeaways/delivery operations and retailers – no matter how large or small – must charge 10 pence for supplying products in carrier bags, with very few exceptions. Guidance on these new requirements is now available on the BSA website at https://www.sandwich.org.uk/index. php/business/817-carrier-bag-chargeguidance

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION WEBINAR

If you missed the Association’s recent webinar on automation in manufacturing, you can now see the presentations for free on our website at https://www.sandwich.org.uk/index. php/news-features/816-streamliningmanufacturing-for-the-future

The session provides some useful insight into ways manufacturers and suppliers can reduce costs using automation.

ARE MARQUEES OUTDOORS?

The government has issued clarifi cation on the use of ‘outdoor’ shelters, marquees and similar structures for use in restaurants etc. To be considered outdoors they must have at least 50% of the area of their walls open at all times whilst in use.