Eco-Inefficiency Formula: A Method to Verify the Cost of the Economic, Environmental, and Social Impact of Waste in Food Services

Abstract

This study aimed to develop an Eco-Inefficiency (Ely) formula to verify the cost of the economic, environmental, and social impact of waste, applicable to food services (FS). Six stages were performed: identification of the terms that characterize food waste; definition of constructs influenced by food waste; identification of the variables that make up each construct; indicators capable of measuring the impact generated by food waste; definition of the mathematical formula; and EIy pilot test. The formula was based on eco-efficiency but focused on food waste. The constructs were translated into three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. Researchers created a score for the dimensions and the entire evaluation, based on a literature review. Water footprint, cleaning material, food production waste, the amount of rest-intake, and the amount of distribution leftover were evaluated on the environmental impact. The economic dimension variables were energy consumption to produce the wasted food, cost of raw material used in wasted food, and food handlers' wages for the economic impact measurement. The social impact variables were: energy density (ED), rest-intake (kcal/g), distribution of leftover ED (kcal/g), use of organic food, and food surpluses' donation. With an EIy application in each item, we have the item's score in each dimension. The higher value of an item, the higher is its influence on the dimension, allowing us to identify those with the most significant impact in the restaurant. The Environmental dimension presented the most significant problems in the assessed scenario. The eco-inefficiency formula identifies food waste's main critical points, allowing us to trace strategies to reduce food waste.

Keywords: efficiency; food surplus; food waste; meal production; sustainability dimensions; sustainability metrics; waste prevention.

Figure 1

Diagram of the development of the mathematical formula of eco-inefficiency, a waste impact indicator on food services.

Figure 2

Aspects included and evaluated in each dimension (environmental, social, and economic) of the food waste impact. (*, This item considers all forms of energy consumption of the food service evaluated. This item will be divided later, depending on the food service. In the case of exclusive use of electricity, only one item should be considered; in food services that use electricity and liquefied petroleum gas, for example, this item will be stratified into two parts (as used in this study).