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Food Waste Auditing at Three Florida Schools

Author

Listed:
  • Ann C. Wilkie

    (Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida-IFAS, P.O. Box 110960, Gainesville, FL 32611-0960, USA)

  • Ryan E. Graunke

    (Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida-IFAS, P.O. Box 110960, Gainesville, FL 32611-0960, USA)

  • Camilo Cornejo

    (Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida-IFAS, P.O. Box 110960, Gainesville, FL 32611-0960, USA)

Abstract

School cafeterias are a significant source of food waste and represent an ideal opportunity for diverting food waste from landfills. In this study, cafeteria waste audits were conducted at three Florida schools. Food waste comprised the largest fraction of school cafeteria waste streams, ranging from 47% to 58%, followed by milk, paper products (tissue, milk cartons, pasteboard, paper plates, and cardboard), and plastics (plastic wrap, packaging, and utensils). Metal and glass comprised the smallest fraction of the waste stream. Average total waste generation ranged from 50.5 to 137.6 g·student −1 ·day −1 . The mean generation rates for food waste ranged from 24.7 to 64.9 g·student −1 ·day −1 . The overall average for cafeteria waste generation among all three schools was 102.3 g·student −1 ·day −1 , with food waste alone contributing 52.2 g·student −1 ·day −1 . There are two primary approaches to diverting school food waste from landfills: reduction and recycling. Food waste can be reduced through educating students and staff in order to change behaviors that cause food waste. Food waste can be collected and recycled through composting or anaerobic digestion in order to generate beneficial end products, including soil amendments and bioenergy. Over 75% of the cafeteria waste measured in this study could be recycled in this manner.

Suggested Citation

  • Ann C. Wilkie & Ryan E. Graunke & Camilo Cornejo, 2015. "Food Waste Auditing at Three Florida Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:2:p:1370-1387:d:45161
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mary Griffin & Jeffery Sobal & Thomas Lyson, 2009. "An analysis of a community food waste stream," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 26(1), pages 67-81, March.
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    2. Elena Cristina Rada & Chiara Bresciani & Eleonora Girelli & Marco Ragazzi & Marco Schiavon & Vincenzo Torretta, 2016. "Analysis and Measures to Improve Waste Management in Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Joaquín Jiménez-Antillón & Carlos Calleja-Amador & Luis G. Romero-Esquivel, 2018. "Food Waste Recovery with Takakura Portable Compost Boxes in Offices and Working Places," Resources, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Godwin Glivin & S. Joseph Sekhar, 2016. "Experimental and Analytical Studies on the Utilization of Biowastes Available in an Educational Institution in India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-9, November.
    5. Christine Persson Osowski & Dariusz Osowski & Kristina Johansson & Niina Sundin & Christopher Malefors & Mattias Eriksson, 2022. "From Old Habits to New Routines—A Case Study of Food Waste Generation and Reduction in Four Swedish Schools," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, January.
    6. Ming-Ling Yang, 2022. "Research on the Evaluation Mechanism of the Black Soldier Fly Biological System on Campus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    7. Jelena Lonska & Anda Zvaigzne & Inta Kotane & Inese Silicka & Lienite Litavniece & Sergejs Kodors & Juta Deksne & Aija Vonoga, 2022. "Plate Waste in School Catering in Rezekne, Latvia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-26, March.
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