Author: Jennifer    Goulding

Major: Nursing

Graduation Year: 2019

Thesis Advisor: Deborah Saber

Description of Publication: Food waste is an ever-growing problem in this country and hospitals are large producers of food waste. Food is something that is beneficial to everyone on the planet, but when wasted, it creates added methane gas production which contributes to the greenhouse gas effect. There is a paucity in the literature concerning industry specific food waste disposal processes. To add knowledge about food waste in Maine, a 24-question survey was used to ask healthcare organizations nutritional and environmental personnel about, food disposal, reuse, and environmental sustainability efforts. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The response rate was low, however the data provided some insight into food waste in healthcare institutions. With a better understanding, new efforts can focus to food waste reduction, circular economy support, and environmental sustainability.

Location of Publication:

URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/521/