ABSTRACT

Food waste is a considerable sustainability challenge, and many universities around the world are engaged in food waste prevention. University canteens offer opportunities for prevention of food waste by steering the amounts of food served in meals at central locations. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of international studies which look into this matter at a greater depth. This paper discusses matters related to university policies and strategies, best practices as well as deficiencies that are seen in preventing food waste. An international study was conducted, including a sample of 52 higher education institutions, in order to provide pieces of evidence of current trends. The study reveals that even though food waste is as an essential issue in many Higher Education Institutions, prevention efforts are not so widely spread as they should be. The majority of universities represented in the sample implemented particular initiatives for food waste reduction, focusing on collection for disposal and composting as well as for external donation. Other examples for implemented efforts include training staff to serve adequate portions, use of trayless dining, and provision of regular information for staff and students. However, 60% of the sample does not have to follow a particular strategy or measure the amount of food waste produced. About 15% of the universities in the sample reported no engagement.

摘要

食物浪费是一个相当大的可持续性挑战，世界各地的许多大学都致力于食物浪费的预防。大学食堂通过控制中心位置的膳食供应量，为防止食物浪费提供了机会。然而，很少有国际研究更深入地研究这个问题。本文讨论了与大学政策和战略、最佳实践以及在防止食物浪费方面存在的缺陷相关的问题。进行了一项国际研究，其中包括 52 所高等教育机构的样本，以提供当前趋势的证据。研究表明，尽管食物浪费是许多高等教育机构的一个基本问题，但预防工作并未像应有的那样广泛传播。样本中代表的大多数大学实施了减少食物浪费的特定举措，重点是收集以进行处理和堆肥以及外部捐赠。实施工作的其他示例包括培训员工提供足够的份量、使用无托盘用餐以及为员工和学生提供定期信息。然而，60% 的样本不必遵循特定策略或测量产生的食物垃圾量。样本中大约 15% 的大学报告没有参与。使用无托盘用餐，并为教职员工和学生提供定期信息。然而，60% 的样本不必遵循特定策略或测量产生的食物垃圾量。样本中大约 15% 的大学报告没有参与。使用无托盘用餐，并为教职员工和学生提供定期信息。然而，60% 的样本不必遵循特定策略或测量产生的食物垃圾量。样本中大约 15% 的大学报告没有参与。