Resource Efficiency in Organisations
Sector: Canteen
Canteens are in most large businesses and organisation and have a very consistent waste profile.
Waste Profiles from local authority (purple) and commercial (orange) canteens
In many businesses canteens can be the largest waste producing area (by weight). On larger sites, where the canteen may be run by an external company, the costs of the canteen waste are often overlooked.
The Scale-up factor for canteens is 0.092 tonnes per year employee.
So, if you have an on-site canteen serving 250 employees then there should be ~ 23 tonnes (=0.092*250) generated annually.
Food waste (organics) is the largest waste from canteens and they are now governed by the Food Waste Regulations 2010.
Of the other wastes Cardboard, plastics, glass and metal are all potentially recyclable. Often good segregation is the first step to prevention and good segregation requires good bin placement and good signage.
Tool!
Click here to see useful bin signs from local authorities around the country.
Links!
For information on canteens and waste prevention go to the following:
Green Hospitality Programme
Less Food, More Profit
Tip!
Why not engage with the canteen in your local authority offices to develop a resource efficiency programme.
