EREF program allows U.S. schools to join in the fight against food waste

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) has developed the School Cafeteria Discards Assessment Project (SCrAP) to quantify both food waste and related wastes (e.g. recyclables, to landfill) generated in cafeterias at K-12 schools in the U.S..

The SCrAP project was created in response to recent legislation passed to reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills. According to a report from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), roughly 40% of food produced in America is thrown away, which equates to nearly $165 billion worth of food each year.*

SCrAP aims to gather information regarding the quantity of waste generated in school cafeterias and gain an understanding of how this waste is managed both at the school and after it is hauled away.

In order to obtain accurate data, EREF has turned to elementary, middle and high schools, as well as K-12 institutions, across the United States to compile data that could aid in significantly reducing food waste generation.

In addition to gaining greater insight into the composition of institutional waste, SCrAP could provide benefits to schools such as:

• Educating students/school staff regarding more sustainable waste management strategies,
• Reducing unnecessary food waste
• Reducing food costs to schools
• Developing ways to better manage institutional food waste

School participation can be as simple as completing a questionnaire or as involved as proving waste weight measurements. SCrAP participants will receive waste related educational materials for the classroom, a snapshot results report tailored for each school (for specified participation levels), and the chance to win money to support the school, up to a maximum of $1,500.