Investigating waste management programs in school foodservice operations

This study investigated demographic food waste management practices, recycling of packaging waste, and attitudes and barriers concerning waste management activities in school nutrition programs. Research methods included a pilot study and a national survey of a random sample of 599 child nutrition directors who were members of the School Nutrition Association. Survey invitations were mailed and/or emailed and 79 usable responses were received. Majority of respondents (75%) indicated that the school district paid for waste hauling without billing the child nutrition program; however 18% paid a standard percent allocation (indirect cost). Cardboard, paper and plastic bottles/containers were the most frequently recycled materials. Most respondents had positive attitudes towards recycling, but limited space, non-availability of recycling facilities in local area, and lack of customer/student participation and support were revealed as the three top barriers to waste management programs.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Master

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nutrition

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Baca, Janet

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Bednar, Carolyn

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Rew, Martha
• Ryu, Dojin

• Health and environmental sciences
• Food science
• School foodservice
• Waste management

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11274/10065

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/10065