Food waste is a significant global issue, and universities are substantial contributors. With campuses often serving thousands of meals daily, food waste at these institutions can reach staggering levels, ranging from 0,12 to 0,50 kg per person per day. As highlighted in a recent qualitative study on food waste at universities across the world, the causes are multifaceted, including over-purchasing, inefficient food management practices, and wasteful behaviours among students. These practices not only lead to higher costs for these universities but also lead to rising greenhouse gas emissions and wasting valuable resources.Why are universities the ideal playing ground to change this wasteful behaviour?
Food waste undermines reaching universities’ Sustainable Development GoalsAs organisationsset their goals to reduce their environmental impact, food waste is often overlooked. Well-known solutions like solar panels, LED lights and energy reduction programs support the reduction in energy usage and energy costs. Hearing from the mainstream public, their knowledge and awareness - of food waste contributing to rising operational costs, and when food wasteis not treated right causing multiple pollution streams affecting public health and social justice - is very low. Why? Let’s first dive into what this problem exactly is. Food waste is organic, so not harmful right? Everyone throws away food. When no options are available to recycle, food waste ends up in the grey bin with other waste streams. This waste is collected and sent to a landfill to rot or incinerator to burn. But think about this: 
Expand learning and education in sustainability Universities can be compared to mini-cities, where their food waste is contributing to the global food waste problem. At the same time, interventions in these ‘study’ environments are a logical reason to turn something otherwise wasted into new resources. As food waste valorization is not only a social responsibility of a university, there are hidden learnings and study subjects in this topic.Most universities worldwide outsource their waste management. On the campus, the waste is binned, collected and brought to an external location by a waste management company. And when waste activities happen out of sight, it is less interesting for people to follow up on separating waste. This provides opportunities to start valorizing food waste at the campus. A Waste Transformer biodigester fits in a number of shipping containers, daily processing food waste into biogas or electricity. This modular biodigester, allows a university to solve their costly food waste management collection, and it makes food waste visible in an inspiring way, leading to a reduction in food waste. For students, it shows a tangible way how food waste is valorized on-site (without smelling it), how it is turned into clean energy to co-power the campus. And it provides the Sustainability Curriculum with opportunities to further research the world of food waste (valorization). From clean energy to urban sourced natural food waste based fertilizers.Rising operational costs for universities Businesses that do not sort and valorise their food waste correctly could see increased operational costs. Inefficient waste management can lead to higher disposal fees and lost opportunities to convert food waste into valuable by-products or energy. Moreover, as the legislation evolves in Europe and beyond, stricter enforcement and monitoring could result in fines or legal action against companies that do not comply. This highlights the importance of adopting sustainable waste management practices not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to enhance overall business sustainability and profitability. 
Solutions for reducing & valorizing food waste at universities1. Educational campaignsA key strategy is raising awareness among students and staff about the importance of reducing food waste. Educational campaigns can influence behavioural change, encouraging the campus community to be more mindful of their food consumption and waste habits. As single-use plastics are in many placed banned, food waste can become the next frontier in sustainability efforts.2. Infrastructure adjustmentsImplementing trayless dining, reducing portion sizes and plates, and optimizing food purchasing and storage practices are also recommended to minimize waste at the source.3. Anaerobic digestionAnaerobic digestion is the method for converting food waste into valuable resources like organic fertilizer, biogas and electricity. With on-site anaerobic digestion facilities, universities can significantly reduce the volume of food waste sent to landfills and lower their carbon footprint and operational costs. Do you want to solve your food waste problem and rising costs? We at The Waste Transformers can help you with that.
Food waste undermines reaching universities’ Sustainable Development GoalsAs organisationsset their goals to reduce their environmental impact, food waste is often overlooked. Well-known solutions like solar panels, LED lights and energy reduction programs support the reduction in energy usage and energy costs. Hearing from the mainstream public, their knowledge and awareness - of food waste contributing to rising operational costs, and when food wasteis not treated right causing multiple pollution streams affecting public health and social justice - is very low. Why? Let’s first dive into what this problem exactly is. Food waste is organic, so not harmful right? Everyone throws away food. When no options are available to recycle, food waste ends up in the grey bin with other waste streams. This waste is collected and sent to a landfill to rot or incinerator to burn. But think about this: One kilogram of food waste that is collected (with other waste streams) and dumped on a landfill, emits the same amount of CO2 compared to landfilling 25,000 plastic bottles on a landfill, according to Zero Waste Scotland.We all experience the daily impact of global warming, and through landfilled or incinerated food waste, universities are contributing to this too. As food waste rots away in a landfill, and is buried under other waste, the food waste produces methane gas, bubbling in the air, further contributing to the invisible blanket in our atmosphere trapping the heat. Let’s go back to the universities.
Expand learning and education in sustainability Universities can be compared to mini-cities, where their food waste is contributing to the global food waste problem. At the same time, interventions in these ‘study’ environments are a logical reason to turn something otherwise wasted into new resources. As food waste valorization is not only a social responsibility of a university, there are hidden learnings and study subjects in this topic.Most universities worldwide outsource their waste management. On the campus, the waste is binned, collected and brought to an external location by a waste management company. And when waste activities happen out of sight, it is less interesting for people to follow up on separating waste. This provides opportunities to start valorizing food waste at the campus. A Waste Transformer biodigester fits in a number of shipping containers, daily processing food waste into biogas or electricity. This modular biodigester, allows a university to solve their costly food waste management collection, and it makes food waste visible in an inspiring way, leading to a reduction in food waste. For students, it shows a tangible way how food waste is valorized on-site (without smelling it), how it is turned into clean energy to co-power the campus. And it provides the Sustainability Curriculum with opportunities to further research the world of food waste (valorization). From clean energy to urban sourced natural food waste based fertilizers.Rising operational costs for universities Businesses that do not sort and valorise their food waste correctly could see increased operational costs. Inefficient waste management can lead to higher disposal fees and lost opportunities to convert food waste into valuable by-products or energy. Moreover, as the legislation evolves in Europe and beyond, stricter enforcement and monitoring could result in fines or legal action against companies that do not comply. This highlights the importance of adopting sustainable waste management practices not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to enhance overall business sustainability and profitability. Solutions for reducing & valorizing food waste at universities1. Educational campaignsA key strategy is raising awareness among students and staff about the importance of reducing food waste. Educational campaigns can influence behavioural change, encouraging the campus community to be more mindful of their food consumption and waste habits. As single-use plastics are in many placed banned, food waste can become the next frontier in sustainability efforts.2. Infrastructure adjustmentsImplementing trayless dining, reducing portion sizes and plates, and optimizing food purchasing and storage practices are also recommended to minimize waste at the source.3. Anaerobic digestionAnaerobic digestion is the method for converting food waste into valuable resources like organic fertilizer, biogas and electricity. With on-site anaerobic digestion facilities, universities can significantly reduce the volume of food waste sent to landfills and lower their carbon footprint and operational costs. Do you want to solve your food waste problem and rising costs? We at The Waste Transformers can help you with that.- Make an appointment with our team.
- Together we get insight into your current food waste situation and opportunities arising from this.
- Based on your situation and needs, we make a plan together to turn your food waste into clean energy.
