The purpose of this study was to obtain data that could be generalized to the
state of Indiana, and included: 1) examining the relationship between the amount of
waste and the variables thought to influence it at the unit level; and 2) estimating the
total amount of waste being sent to landfills through school foodservice operations
in the state. In order to obtain data that would represent the population as a whole
as well as the different service circumstances, participants were selected based on
their size, the percent of serviceware dollars directed toward the purchase of
disposable serviceware, and their geographic location.
The model generated indicated that the weight of waste at the school (unit) level
increased with the number of participants, the grade level represented, and the type
of operation. Also, the mannerin which food waste was handledsignificantlyaffected
the weight of waste.
The weighted population average for the elementary grade levels was 21 per
day per student enrolled; for the middle grade levels it was .21; for the high school
grades it was .15. Based on these weights and enrollment figures for the 1992-1993
academic year, school foodservice operations in the state sent to landfills an
estimated 185,344 pounds of waste daily. Overa 180-day period this would amount
to 33.4 million pounds. By volume, approximately 77.6 million gallons of waste would
be sent.
Almanza, B.A., Hiemstra, S.J., & Ghiselli, R.F. (1992). An investigation of school food service waste in Indiana. Unpublished report submitted to Indiana State Department of Education.
2.
Hollingsworth, M.D., Shanklin, C.W., Gench, B., & Hinson, M. (1990). Effect of type of packaging on acceptability and volume of solid waste for the milk component in school food service programs . School Food Service Research Review, 14(2), 86-89.
3.
Hollingsworth, M.D., Shanklin, C.W., Gench, B., & Hinson, M. (1992). Composition of waste generated in six selected school food service operations. School Food Service Research Review, 16(2), 125-130.
4.
Indiana Legislative Council. (1991). Acts 1990 Indiana laws enacted by the 106th general assembly Volume 1. Public Law 10-1990, sec. 11. Indianapolis, IN.
5.
Mann, N., & Shanklin, C.W. (1990). Solid waste management in school food service: A critical issue for the 1990s. School Food Service Research Review, 14(2), 83-85.
6.
Riley, L.K., Shanklin, C.W., & Gench, B. (1991). Comparison of volume of waste generated by and cost of two types of serviceware systems. School Food Service Research Review, 15(2), 32-36.
7.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. (1990). Characterization of municipal solid waste in the United States: 1990 Update(EPA/530-SW-90-042). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
