Optimised Plus- Food Waste Collected from Apartments

Foster Environmental is delighted to announce the commencement in March 2023 of this two-year project.

Since 2014, there have been some food waste collection trials involving apartments. These have been carried out in Sligo, Santry and Dún Laoghaire. More recently, some waste collectors have started collecting food waste from apartments in Dublin. However, there are some challenges in getting people to segregate correctly to prevent contamination of the food waste. An incentivised pricing structure will now be introduced in 2023 and will now affecting the charging regime at apartments.

This project will look at international best practice in collecting food waste from apartments. Using this information, we will conduct various trials in Ireland to determine a best practice model that suits the Irish situation. This will be done in order to encourage the maximum participation levels from the residents, with low contamination rates in the food waste collected.

The objectives of the project are as follows:

  • Conduct a literature review of national and international trials/ established schemes on the collection of food waste from apartments.
  • Review legislation, policies and best practice around the world.
  • Engage with stakeholders (waste companies, the Apartment Owners’ Network, property agents, architects, regulators and Cré) to compile knowledge and learn of any issues.
  • Engage extensively with a key stakeholder forum in the design of the trials to be conducted at Irish apartments during this project.
  • Conduct trials of a food waste collection system for the apartments that will encourage maximum participation levels from the residents, with low contamination rates.
  • Recommend the ideal collection model and possible design change of future apartments to accommodate food waste collection.
  • Recommend a toolkit for use in existing apartments. This toolkit will be available for use by resident groups, waste companies, management companies, managing agents and local authorities.
  • Provide an economic analysis of the recommended collection models.

 

This project is co-funded under the EPA Research Programme 2021-2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The project lead is Foster Environmental with partners Scuola Agraria Del Parco Di Monza and ARS Ambiente.

 

Join the project twitter account for updates- https://twitter.com/Optifood13421

Visit project webpage for updates – https://foster.ie/food-waste-apartments/

A flyer for the project can be downloaded here: Optimised Plus- Food Waste Collected from Apartments

Further Information contact:

Percy Foster

Foster Environmental Ltd, Copper Beech House, 66 Delmere, Enfield, Co Meath, Ireland

E: percy@foster.ie. W: www.foster.ie T: 00353 (0) 86- 8129260

 

Notes:

EPA Research 2030 is the ten-year high-level framework for the EPA’s research programming (2021- 2030), designed to be agile, responsive and flexible. EPA Research 2030 thematic structure comprises four interconnected hubs (Addressing climate change needs, facilitating a green and circular economy, delivering a healthy environment, Protecting and restoring our natural environment) that bring an integrated and cross-sectoral approach, enabling holistic management and protection of our environment.

 

DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this flyer, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this webpage.