The do's and don'ts of food waste disposal

The impact we have on the world is worsening. We’re getting through more resources than ever before and far too much of it is ending up wasted. For example, the amount of single-use plastic ending in landfill is on the rise. And if you’re in the food business, chances are you have to deal with a lot of food waste. If you’re not careful, disposing of that waste can not only be a big headache, but it can be a heavy burden to bear when you consider the environmental impact.

After all, food waste is a big problem in South Africa. Every year, 10 million tonnes of food go to waste. That’s a third of the 31 million tonnes produced annually in the country. Not only is this bad for the environment, but it also wastes the valuable resources that went into growing and producing the food in the first place.

In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on the best way to responsibly dispose of your commercial food waste.

Do 

• Separate your waste: The first thing you need to do is separate your waste. You should have at least two bins – one for organic waste and one for inorganic waste. This will make it easier for you to dispose of your waste properly. 

• Research your local regulations: Different jurisdictions have different laws and regulations surrounding commercial food waste disposal. Familiarise yourself with these regulations so that you can ensure you're disposing of your waste in compliance with the law. 

• Show your staff how to do the right thing: Any efforts will go to waste if you don’t train your staff on proper food waste disposal procedures. This will help to ensure that everything is done correctly and efficiently.

• Consider using a commercial food waste disposal service:  The best way to dispose of your commercial food waste is to use a commercial food waste disposal service. These services will pick up your food waste and dispose of it properly. They can also help you reduce your carbon footprint. 

• Consider composting:  Composting is a great way to dispose of food waste responsibly. Not only does it reduce methane emissions, but it also produces nutrient-rich compost that can be used to fertilise gardens and farmland. 

• Donate unused food:  Do consider donating any unserved, unspoiled food to a local food bank or soup kitchen. Not only will this help those in need, but it's also a great way to reduce your waste.

Don’t

• Just throw it in the trash:  Food waste that ends up in landfills doesn't decompose properly and emits methane gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas. Throwing food waste in the trash is not only bad for the environment, it's also against the law in some jurisdictions. 

• Put hot food in the bin:  You should never put hot food in the bin. Not only will this make the bin smell bad, but it will also attract pests. So make sure to let your food cool down before you put it in the bin. 

• Pour grease down the drain:  This can cause clogs and other problems further down the line. Instead, collect it in a container and dispose of it with your solid waste. 

• Forget to have routine clearouts:  During a clearout, all of the perishable food items in the kitchen are inventory. This gives the restaurant owner a chance to see what items are not selling and need to be thrown out. Clearouts also help to ensure that food is rotated properly, so that older items are used before they go bad. 

• Provide overly large portions:  Don't forget about portion control. Preparing too much food is one of the main causes of wasted leftovers. By properly portioning out each dish, you can minimise the amount of uneaten food at the end of each meal service.

If you run a food-based business, chances are you generate a lot of food waste. It's important to dispose of this waste responsibly, both for the sake of the environment and for the sake of your business. By following the dos and don'ts outlined above, you can ensure that you're doing your part to keep our planet clean and green – and keeping your business in compliance with local laws and regulations. You can also consider joining the growing network of businesses and organisations committed to working together to reduce food loss and waste in South Africa.