We fight food waste every single day
Food waste is a major focus area for Compass Group. The production, transport, storage of food, and food waste impact our environment. Utilizing 100% of the potential of raw materials reduces food waste and helps to reduce the environmental burden, including CO2 emissions.
Every year, about one-third of all food produced is wasted. That is far too much, and we are therefore actively working to contribute to driving a permanent change.
We measure food waste to understand the footprint it leaves. And we engage in close collaborations with our cafeteria customers to halve food waste by 2030.
Food waste and measurement technology
Food waste is not only a moral issue but also a significant contributor to climate change. Food waste represents wasted energy used to grow, harvest, process, and prepare food. Additionally, food waste generates methane gases, which are more potent than CO2.
To reduce food waste, it is essential to understand why food is wasted. Therefore, in 2023, we introduced new measurement technology in the canteen units we operate. This measurement allows our kitchen staff to continuously monitor and reduce food waste, contributing to our shared goal of reducing food waste.
Stop food waste day
Since 2018, we have been part of Compass Group’s official and worldwide Stop Food Waste Day on the last Wednesday of April each year.
Every day, we work diligently to reduce food waste in our canteens to achieve our goal of cutting food waste by 50% by 2030.
On Stop Food Waste Day, we honor and celebrate our food waste heroes and place extra emphasis on the work that will help us reach our goal.
Part of our DNA
Meet Kenneth Gaub Østerskovgaard, who has been a major food waste hero in the fight to reduce food waste for the past 15 years.
In the cafeteria where Kenneth is the head chef, reducing food waste is crucial in every daily kitchen process and is part of the DNA. Any leftovers that ultimately cannot be used on the plate go into a food grinder and are later converted into energy. In this way, everything in the kitchen contributes to creating meaning and value.
Honoring food waste efforts
Internally, we honor the best food waste initiative, and in 2023, the award went to Lis Hunnerup and the team at the CP Kelco canteen. Here, employees had the opportunity to purchase homemade products based on food waste to take home. The money from the sales was donated to Broen Køge, which helps vulnerable children and young people – but only after CP Kelco doubled the amount.
There was brisk business at the food stall during the lunch break, with Lis’s homemade rum balls being particularly popular. After CP Kelco doubled the amount, Broen Køge ensures that the money from food waste is converted into support for socially vulnerable children and young people, providing them with equipment for sports, scouting, music, or other leisure activities.
Cookbook with inspiring food waste recipes
We aim to engage our many daily dining guests in recognizing the possibilities of using 100% of the potential of raw materials when cooking at home. Therefore, Compass Group has developed a cookbook that inspires people to see the potential in what normally ends up in the trash.
