Too many portions cooked, too much loaded onto the plate: food waste in communal catering is a huge climate killer. On the other hand, those who reduce food waste act sustainably - and save time and money. What measures can canteens take to achieve this?

One of the central drivers of global climate change is food waste. Around 10% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to it. One ton of food waste corresponds to about 2.5 tons of CO2 equivalents.

In the fight for more sustainability and climate neutrality, it is important to reduce food waste worldwide. Where is this most successful? Wherever thousands of plates go over the counter every day: in communal catering.

Canteens have numerous options to take measures that both reduce food waste and raise awareness of sustainability. And these not only protect the climate and the budget but also contribute to the "Corporate Social Responsibility" goals. 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to the societal responsibility of companies beyond legal requirements. The aim is to integrate ecological, social, and economic aspects into business activities. This can be achieved through fair working conditions, climate protection, sustainable supply chains, or social engagement. CSR aims to strengthen trust, reputation, and long-term value creation. In the EU, large companies and, from 2024, also medium-sized companies are required to report on their sustainability activities. More information can be found in the CSRD directive.

"Companies that focus on sustainability in the long term will last in the market in the long term," said Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche AG, in an interview with "ZEIT". The VW subsidiary aims to be completely climate-neutral by 2030.

Three Measures for More Sustainability in the Canteen

The most common causes of food waste in large kitchens are overproduction and plate returns. Both factors can be reduced with the appropriate measures. We present three methods.

1. Food Waste Monitoring

To reduce food waste, the first step is to determine the status quo. It is necessary to find out how much food actually ends up in the bin every day. This can be achieved through systematic and transparent food waste monitoring. While many businesses still work with waste statistics at container level at the end of the month or painstakingly manually maintained Excel lists, there are now much simpler methods to record waste: The distinction is made between a combined hardware and software system and a pure software system.

Hardware and Software System

These are monitoring systems with an intelligent weighing system that must be installed in advance. It automatically records waste on the plate, minimally interrupting workflows, as the weighed amounts are automatically entered into the system.

Software System

In contrast to the system mentioned above, purely software-based monitoring systems use the already available scales on site. They have the advantage of being immediately available without installation or maintenance effort. The waste quantities are recorded daily by the kitchen staff easily via a web app – in various, self-defined categories. The measured quantities can finally be analyzed in graphically prepared dashboard reports. The most important insights become visible on a daily basis and immediately form the basis for new measures. The canteen staff has minimal effort of no more than 15 minutes - while keeping an overview of the entire development.

2. Intelligent Forecasts

Food waste monitoring forms the basis for optimization. It creates transparency and awareness. Intelligent forecast systems go one step further: They ensure that food waste will no longer occur in the future. 

Here's how it works: The AI forecast is linked to the canteen's inventory or cash register system and "learns" from the data history how many dishes need to be produced daily. Thus, the forecast not only reduces food waste and costs but also increases productivity and planning security. Thanks to real-time data, the kitchen staff can better structure and distribute tasks. Delicious Data offers such a forecast solution in combination with food waste: With the help of artificial intelligence, companies save up to 30% of their previous food waste. The result: More sustainability – and more time for the essential: cooking and being with the guest.

3. Sustainable Offer in the Canteen

To strengthen awareness of sustainability not only among staff but also among guests, sustainable offers are also emphasized in everyday canteen life. Here are some ideas:

"Meatless Monday"

In contrast to plant-based foods, meat has a significantly poorer climate balance on the plate. That’s why companies around the world are implementing a "Meatless Monday". On this day, only vegetarian food is offered. Recipe ideas can be found on the website of "Monday Campaigns".

The Climate-friendly Footprint

It is clear what climate impact certain foods and dishes have, thanks to the Swiss company "Eaternity". Its software illustrates the company’s own environmental footprint. At the same time, "Eaternity" awards a seal of approval for particularly climate-friendly menus – an environmentally friendly signal to employees and guests.

Climate Protection on the Plate

The "KlimaTeller" app also makes visible the environmental impacts of each dish. It calculates the emission value of each plate to the exact gram. If it is at least 50% below the average value of comparable dishes, the app awards the dish as a "Climate Plate"– a sustainable award for communication in everyday canteen life.

Sustainable Shopping

If you are really serious, you value sustainability even before fruits, vegetables, and meat end up in the pot: during shopping. Regional, seasonal foods have a better climate balance than those that have flown halfway around the world. And even fruits and vegetables that might not win a beauty contest can still taste great. Platforms like "Querfeld" "rescue" crooked vegetables directly from the producer and bring them back into circulation. Large kitchens can conveniently order online and thus save food right from the procurement stage.

Interested? Arrange an appointment with us.