I am looking for similar examples to the project I am currently rolling out. It is a project looking at food waste in the household waste stream. Along the concept of CBSM, this project is looking at the avoidance of food waste in the first place, rather than just composting. That is, can we reduce the amount of food waste going into the compost, bin etc. in the first place? (think of the waste hierachy). There are many, many studies, programs and projects around composting. I am looking for examples of any 'avoidance' or 'reduction' studies or similar programs.
Already we have conducted waste audits of the region - the region with the highest amount of food waste in their bins was chosen to conduct the study and pilot in (the town of just ubder 3000 residents also cover all demographics). In the town we have finished a mailout survey and the use of food diaries to determine the demographics of who the food wasters are and why are they wasting. From these results, I will shortly be conducting focus groups in the town. Bringing all of these results together, we will then be designing a type of implementation/education tool(s) based on the results of where we will most need to target. Haven't yet started the implementation planning so I am putting it out there if anyone has done or know of something similar.
CHEERS,
Emma Fuchsen
Organics Project Manager
North East Victorian Regional Waste Management Group
Australia
www.nevrwaste.vic.gov.au
Avoiding Food Waste in the First Place
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Emma, I think this is a really interesting project, and I think it would be of value for local governments to hear about.
We are looking at hosting a 'Recycled Organics' Information Session at Greater Shepparton in Novembers, which may incorporate a site tour of a compost facility. Along with speakers from Greater Shepparton, Compost Victoria and possibly a speaker from the Healthy Park, Ovals and Waterways Program, I would be interested to know if you would consider coming along to speak about your project (even just the results of the food diary study). As you mentioned, avoidance is a key part of waste management.
Local governments from Moira, Wangaratta, Indigo, Alpine, Mt Buller and surrounding councils will be attending (Environment, procurement, waste services and parks and gardens staff).
This event is still in the scoping/planning stage, however I would be most interested in speaking to you about potential involvment of North East Victorian RWMG.
Amelia Chapman
Local Government Green Purchasing Program Manager
ECO-Buy
Australia
HI Amelia,
Sounds great, I recently presented the outline of the project at a waste conference in QLD and happy to present or speak about the project in Shep - somewhere local is great too. My e-mail address is [email protected] . please feel free to contact me as I would like to know more about the information session too.
CHEERS
Emma Fuchsen
Organics Project Manager
North East Victorian Regional Waste Management Group
Australia
www.nevrwaste.vic.gov.au
The UK WRAP program has a good web site about the reduction of food waste. There is also a good video on the Marks and Spencer web site (Plan A, an interview with Dr. Helene Roberts), and that web site has a focus on packaging re-design as a way to reduce wasting as food through less spoilage and longer freshness.
Susan V. Collins
HF&H Consultants
United States
Hello Emma,
There are several programs in the US that involve reducing hunger and waste. One of the cities that is involved with such a program is Portland, Oregon. Their program (Fork It Over!) has been around for several years now and has been wildly successful. You can check out more information on Portland's food recovery program at http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=9887.
Best Wishes!
Allyson Ruppenthal
Education and Outreach Specialist
Thurston County Solid Waste
United States
This website might be useful http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/
Peter Butler
Project Officer
Dept of Environment, Climate Change and Water
Australia
See: http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/PWT2009Summary.htm
If you write me ([email protected]) I can give you Gary Feinland's email.
Gary conducted about 6 of these fora in New York State in 2008, and intends to continue working to reduce food waste through a webinar series, fall 2009.
Norm Ruttan
President
iWasteNot Systems
Canada
www.iwastenotsystems.com