Wasted treasure in the trash: evaluating the diversion and reduction systems of food waste in an institutional setting based on environmental, economic and social implications

Food waste is a pervasive issue plaguing our modern society that demands immediate worldwide attention. With increasing awareness, organizations and community members are slowly beginning to create change. Municipalities and institutions all over the world are developing a variety of financial incentives and mechanisms, as well as creating new policy, to also find ways to combat the problem. This study examines the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and its institutional efforts to reduce and divert food waste from the landfill. Data was gathered via in-depth interviews with numerous university departments, dining hall management and staff, students and outside organizations. Based on quantitative information gathered from the interviews, cost-benefit analyses of each of the reduction and diversion systems currently utilized at UIUC are highlighted. Through a separate research assistantship over the course of graduate study, comprehensive waste audits with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC) were conducted at military installations. These waste audits have led to several more projects, emphasizing alternative technologies, specifically regarding waste-to-energy conversion. Comparative efforts at other universities along with waste audits conducted through the assistantship were considered, as well as successes from international case studies. During the course of this study, methods for effectively reducing and diverting food waste have been found. Further analyses of the benefits of waste-to-energy technologies, why attempts have not yet been successful at UIUC, and what this outcome means moving forward are also discussed. Overall, a combined, collaborative approach leads to a more advantageous environmental, economic and social outcome for everyone.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.U.P.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Urban Planning

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Urban, Angela Bernadette

Contributors dc:contributor

• Doussard, Marc

• Food waste
• environment
• dining services
• waste management
• institutions
• anaerobic
• aerobic
• digester
• digestion
• pulper
• waste to energy technology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Angela Urban

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92661

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/92661