Abstract
PurposeSource segregation of food waste is one of the major challenges that inhibit food waste recycling around the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the local authority to implement regulations and encourage an increase in the source separation of food waste within both commercial premises and households, and identifying any gaps that exist in public awareness.MethodsThis study was conducted by the Cork County Council in 568 commercial premises and 1362 houses in County Cork, Ireland. This study also included investigations of public and private civic amenity sites and waste collectors that collect kerb side waste located within the region. The interviewee’s responses were documented and a database has been prepared and analysed.ResultsIntegrated strategy is crucial to roll out food waste bin within a community for successful implementation of source segregation of food waste. This strategy should involve a dedicated team from the local authority who continue to visit, monitor and co-ordinate the activities of local authorities, waste collectors, civic amenity sites and public to implement and enforce the food waste regulations. In addition to organising appropriate infrastructure for recycling of food waste, continuous awareness raising through education, leaflets and local and national media is also crucial.ConclusionThe role of local authorities should include facilitating the development of appropriate facilities such as composting, anaerobic digestion within communities and to encourage communities to take ownership of these facilities and reuse the resultant material within the local area.
Highlights
Increasing waste generation annually, along with heavy reliance on land filling as a disposal method has significant impact on landfill capacity, health and environment in Europe and around the world
Successful engagement of the public to participate effectively in the food waste recycling scheme is of major concern to the local authorities
Analysis of responses from the survey from the local authority in 22 towns for the commercial premises, five towns for the households, along with local civic amenity sites and waste collectors that are working within County Cork indicates that an integrated strategy is crucial to roll out brown bin within a community
Summary
Increasing waste generation annually, along with heavy reliance on land filling as a disposal method has significant impact on landfill capacity, health and environment in Europe and around the world. It has been identified that the process of separation of food waste at its generation source an efficient way to reduce unnecessary food purchase, as well as reduce sending the amount of food waste to landfill, lowers the greenhouse gases that generates from the landfill. In the United Kingdom, 20 million tons of food waste is produced annually and a major portion of this waste ends up in the landfill. The estimated direct cost to producers of food that goes to waste globally is currently US $750 billion annually, a figure that excludes even wasted fish and seafood. Every regulatory authority must take the lead through proper consultation and communication in order to get all of the stakeholders working together to achieve the target of reducing landfill waste
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
