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. 2022 Sep;40(9):1412-1423.
doi: 10.1177/0734242X221079306. Epub 2022 Feb 18.

Sustainable waste management solutions for the foodservice industry: A Delphi study

Carlos Martin-Rios  1 , Christine Demen Meier  2 , Susana Pasamar  3
Affiliations

Sustainable waste management solutions for the foodservice industry: A Delphi study

Carlos Martin-Rios et al. Waste Manag Res. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Foodservice businesses influence the sustainability of their natural environment by producing significant amounts of waste. Yet, research has, thus far, been dominated by studies that limit their scope to food waste alone. Few studies have taken a broader look at sustainable waste initiatives, including innovative waste processing techniques, with a view to constructing management indicators for foodservices. This study combines management innovation practices related to resource management, waste prevention, processing and disposal techniques, and stakeholder involvement to offer sustainable standards. It primarily adopts the Delphi technique to propose specific solutions pertaining to waste management. Experts from government, industry, and academia reveal that potential waste management initiatives comprise three facets - service, process (operational), and organisational practices and innovations, 15 sub-facets and 41 indicators. This study thus establishes a catalogue of solutions for food, packaging and other 'non-food' waste that foodservice establishments can implement. In addition to its practical implications, an important contribution is its focus on management systems to establish waste management standards for hospitality, food and beverage (F&B) services, restaurants, and non-commercial catering.

Keywords: Delphi technique; F&B; Waste management; best practices; catering; foodservice industry; innovation; managerial framework; restaurants; sustainability management.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Type of innovation for each waste solution (in parenthesis).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
An integrative sustainable waste management system.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms