The Study on Solid Waste Management in School Foodservices in the Kyungbuk Area

Jung, Sang Youl; Lee, Hye Sang

Abstract

The main purposes of this study were to survey and assess the current situation surrounding solid waste generation in school foodservices, to identify and evaluate the measures(reduction and recycling programs) taken by the foodservices for waste disposal, and to suggest appropriate reform measures to improve the current status, especially in terms of environmental preservation. Questionnaires on solid waste management practices were mailed to 206 school foodservice dietitians in the Kyungbuk region : a 64.0%(N = 130) response rate was obtained. While there are food waste and packaging waste generated from the foodservice operations, about a third(34.1%) of the foodservice operations were responsible for the disposal of both the food wastes and packaging wastes. About 90% of school foodservice managers were responsible for managing solid wastes. The primary recycling methods of leftovers generated from the school food service operations were livestock feed(76.0%). About 60.0% of school foodservice managers conducted the food waste reduction program. The performance by the foodservice managers in reducing the food waste was not satisfactory in several fields, such as developing environmentally friendly menus or abiding by the standard recipe, etc. In addition, the government assistance system was not properly working in the food service management. In conclusion, we should focus on increasing the performance in reducing the food waste by the foodservice managers, strengthening and facilitating the government assistance system for the food waste management and to develop education methods and education materials for food waste management.