Food waste reduction and its environmental consequences: a quasi-experimental study in a campus canteen

Food waste is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has severe environmental and economic effects. This study presents a two-level intervention to estimate the quantity and environmental consequences of food waste at a campus canteen, offering innovative solutions to reduce food waste and its environmental footprint.

This study involved 300 students and consisted of three main stages: initial food waste assessment, environmental and economic impact evaluation, and qualitative exploration of the causes of food waste through interviews with students. The assessment included direct measures and weighing of leftover food, and the environmental and economic impact was calculated. A two-level intervention was implemented for students and staff, and a re-assessment of food waste was conducted to evaluate the intervention’s impact. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

The study monitored 26 meals, finding that the total amount of food waste in the university canteens was (mean = 60.65 g/person), and the intervention reduced food waste by 16.35% per meal (50.73 g/person). Moreover, after the intervention, the amount of food waste costs and total water waste were reduced by 30.14% and 16.66%, respectively. Grey water was reduced significantly by 12.5% (p = 0.033). Interviews with students identified low-quality meals, unpleasant taste, large portions, and a limited menu as the main causes of food waste.

It is possible to tackle food waste effectively with educational intervention, decreasing portion size, and improving the quality and variety of food.