Reduced food waste decrease costs and emissions of carbon dioxide
More than one million tonnes of food are discarded in Sweden every year. It corresponds to emissions of two million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The hospital of Sundsvall city, north of Sweden reduced the food waste with 47 percent in two years. It is valued at SEK 3,8 million.
Surveys showed that food worth a value of SEK 8 million each year was discarded at the hospital. The kitchen staff began to work actively to reduce waste. The result showed a decrease of 25 percent initially.
Main objective was to reduce food waste and decrease costs. Several competences were involved in the work. One key to success is to find out how much waste is produced initially. We also put a lot effort in communicating the results, says Olle Bertilsson, Durability Coordinator in Sweden’s Region of Västernorrland.
The project gained a lot of attention. Lessons were filmed and documented and the experiences were disseminated to Sweden’s county councils and municipalities. After the campaign, a follow-up survey showed waste has decreased with 47 percent between 2010 and 2012. Evaluation also showed that the understanding between nursing employees and kitchen staff was improved. Feeling of work pleasure in the kitchen was improved. Outcome of the project shows it is fully possible to reduce food waste considerably.
The project has received some international attention when Olle Bertilsson was invited to speak at an event at the Swedish House in Washington.
For more information, please contact:
olle.bertilsson@rvn.se
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Naturvårdsverket
Project start date
01/01/2010
Project end date
31/01/2012
