From September, schools around London and the South East will implement a range of operational practices focused around food waste reduction, composting, recycling, packaging, single-use reduction, education and engagement as well as sourcing and procurement.
The students will be encouraged to take part in surveys and tastings to ensure school meals reflect student preferences, reducing plate waste as a result. Olive Dining will also feature regular zero-waste recipes in their monthly newsletters to clients, parents and guardians.
More recycling measures will be introduced, including on-site composting and clearly labelled separation bins for food scraps, recyclables and landfill waste. Cooking oil will be collected and converted into biodiesel.
Disposable cutlery and cups will be replaced with reusable alternatives. Where this isn’t possible, eco-friendly compostable or recyclable options will be used instead.
Pupils will also have the opportunity to learn more about food systems, composting and mindful eating through cooking and sustainability workshops, including visual displays to show how much waste is diverted from landfill.
Local and seasonal produce will be prioritised in schools, including ingredients sourced from local farms, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation and packaging. More plant-forward menus offering more vegetarian and vegan options will be made available to students, which generally produce less waste in the supply chain.
Stephanie Spratt, co-founder and chief executive of Olive Dining, said: “The School Waste Guide 2025 estimates that the UK wastes around 9.5 million tonnes of food each year, and the education sector makes a significant contribution to this figure.
“It’s clear that not enough is being done to prevent food waste in our education system, but with a sustained effort to make positive changes we can begin to tackle this issue. Educating schools and young people on the effects of food waste is crucial, while taking a considered approach to menu design and portion control can help schools meet student needs.
“Because of this, we have created and implemented a number of new initiatives to help promote a culture of change in schools. It may take time, but the results of preventing food waste in schools will be worth it.”
For more information, visit: https://olivedining.co.uk