Small Steps Make a World of Difference

We know that small changes make a world of difference. Kahn’s Catering is committed to doing our part to sustain the environment and promote a healthy Earth. Most businesses in our position may mindlessly throw away products or use harsh chemicals to clean and maintain their operation. However, Kahn’s Catering takes daily measures to reduce our waste footprint. We’ve always been committed to fine catering. And today more than ever, we’re also dedicated to sustainable, environmentally friendly business practices. Like you, we are committed to making the changes necessary to minimize our impact on the environment.

Our actions help ensure we are conserving resources, properly managing our waste and purchasing environmentally-friendly products when available. We take our commitment to both the environment and our clients seriously.

Sustainable Serving

Our commitment to environmental awareness doesn’t stop at our offices and kitchens. We carry-out our commitment in ways that positively impact our guests and events as well. Kahn’s Catering has converted to 100% recycled cocktail napkins, hand towels and bathroom tissue. Our disposable dinner napkins and grab-and-go containers are 100% tree-free and made from bagasse, a by-product of cane sugar production. We use unbleached products when available. Our single-use tableware such as plates, utensils, cups, stirs, picks, straws, napkins and to-go containers are all plant-based, made with fiber or comp stable plastic products.

Our hot beverage cups are made of plant-based fibers that are commercially compostable. Each cup is made from 100% renewable resources and available at our cafes and event venues. Need a coffee to go? Just ask!

Unlike most to-go containers, our containers are compostable and made from renewable resources. On the left, our white container is made with bygasse, a by-product of cane sugar production and is entirely tree-free! Both containers do not contain any plastic coatings. Our grab-and-go containers are used at all of our museum cafes at Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, and Indianapolis Museum of Art.

This unique eco-friendly plate is made from fallen palm leaves that are collected, steamed and molded into sturdy plates for serving. As an added benefit, these plates are very stylish as well!

All of our single-use utensils are made of either birch or bamboo. Bamboo is highly valuable sustainable resource with some species able to grow 4 feet in one day!

On the left is a single-use plastic shooter. Many companies will use similar plastic serveware but will throw them away after use. Kahn’s Catering takes efforts to recycle these plastic pieces.

We also strive to promote eco-friendly products to our guests and offer an alternative on the bottom) made from bamboo. Previously we used plastic petrolum-based picks for our food displays and hors d’oeuvres. We have transitioned to Earth-friendly birch wood picks.

Green Cleaning

We are eliminating toxic chemicals and selecting more natural alternatives when available. None of our facilities use bleach in their cleaning process.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We recycle paper, cardboard, glass, and plastics at our main office and venue locations that support recycling. Additionally, we also recycle batteries, ink/toner, e-waste and packaging materials in our central kitchen and office.

Our cooking oil is recovered and recycled for use in biofuel and other non-food uses.

Food Waste Management

Kahn’s Catering does more than just recycle, we rescue food. Statistics show each year 30-40% of all food is wasted, much of it being disposed of and not composted. In catering, we can’t plan to have just enough, instead a great caterer must prepare to have more than enough. In this effort, our culinary team produces an amazing amount of food, by hand, each and every day. Unserved or unprepared food is often used to create the employee meals that we offer on a daily basis to everyone in our company. Additionally, rescued food is also donated to Second Helpings to provide nutritious meals for thousands of children and adults in Greater Indianapolis. Learn more about what happens to our rescued food.

Small Actions with a Big Impact

Our main office and kitchen at our venue, Montage all use LED lighting. We promote double-sided printing in our offices and encourage paper-resource conservation.

Kahn’s Catering is proud of our actions and our dedication to Earth-friendly business practices. Connect with us on Facebook and let us know what you do to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. Happy Earth Day!