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Project title

Reducing Commercial Food Waste in Ireland

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Clean Technology Centre (CTC)

Lead Applicant

Colum Gibson

Project Abstract

This project will explore the sources and, most importantly, the reasons for Commercial Food Waste (CFW) generation in Ireland. CFW is a significant part of the municipal waste stream in Ireland and, while there is some information on the main food waste producing sectors, much of this is extracted from larger data sets and provides little or no specific information. Waste characterisation studies show quantities, but not the detailed composition of food waste. Determining sources and reasons for commercial food waste, for example, plate waste, preparation waste, out of date food, etc., in turn identifies the potential for prevention opportunities. This project will provide this key information in terms of CFW generation in Ireland, by sector and food waste type, along with potential best practices, and innovative solutions, for its reduction. Individual locations, as well as sectoral organisations and companies within the identified sub-sectors in Ireland will be worked with. CTC will examine the reasons behind CFW and trial and assess interventions to prevent and reduce CFW amounts arising. Benchmarks and Best Practice Guidelines will be prepared based on the project outcomes and then disseminated. Long term intervention initiatives/programmes will be identified where feasible. A detailed report will be produced at the end of this project which will contain an overview of the findings, a series of benchmarks as well as quantified sectoral interventions. In addition, policy recommendations for the individual sectors will be made based on the findings of the research work and consultation with the relevant stakeholders during the course of the project. However, of much more importance will be the best practice guidance materials produced as a result of the food waste assessments and intervention trials. These, because they will be peer based and disseminated through the appropriate sectoral organisations, will have far reaching impact on the main food waste producing commercial sectors in Ireland. In addition,there will be the positive impacts expected from the waste surveys and interventions conducted as part of the core research work. An academic paper will also be produced and presented at an international conference and at appropriate national events.

Grant Approved

�264,187.88

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Resource efficiency

Start Date

01/03/2016

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/09/2018