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09 Aug 01 - cafeteria reusables; deconstruction; food waste ** WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ** -- A project of the National Waste Prevention Coalition -------- Forum archive: http://www.reuses.com/nwpcarchive -------------------- From John Crisley, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Municipal Waste Reduction Program, Boston, MA: COST/BENEFIT STUDY OF REUSABLE VS. DISPOSABLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA SYSTEMS The Massachusetts DEP is looking for a source(s) of a reliable cost/benefit study that has been done to answer the following question: "In a school cafeteria setting, is it economically and environmentally beneficial in the long-term to use reusables vs. disposables?" Specifically, we want to locate a study that has analyzed the complete labor, equipment purchase and installation and operational costs of a dishwasher system for reusable trays, plates and stainless steel utensils versus a system that uses all disposable trays, plates, cups, plastic utensils, etc. To date, we don't know of any study that accurately outlines a long-term cost comparison of the two systems. Any sources of information or referral would be appreciated. E-mail: john [D O T] crisley [A T] state [D O T] ma [D O T] us Phone: (617) 556-1021 -------------------- Link to a report called "Building Deconstruction: Reuse and Recycling of Building Materials," prepared by the Center for Construction and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (forwarded by Gary Liss): http://www.cce.ufl.edu/past/deconstruction/reuse.html This August, 2000, report was prepared for the Alachua County (FL) Solid Waste Management Innovative Recycling Project. -------------------- From Stephen Long, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Boston, MA: I am posting this question for a colleague who is not a listserve subscriber, so please forward any responses to him directly at the e-mail address below. Does anyone have training materials (brochures, videos, etc.) geared at helping food waste generators (supermarkets, restaurants, food service operators, food processors) separate and divert material for compost collection or animal feed? While this initially appears to be a recycling question, my colleague believes that once food waste generators learn how much waste they are generating, they'll source reduce. Please reply directly to Sumner Martinson at: E-mail: sumner (DOT) martinson (AT) state (DOT) ma (DOT) us Phone: (617) 292-5969 Thanks. ------------------- Note from Tom: I'll be out of the office until Wednesday, Aug. 15. So, the Forum will take a few days off also. Hope you are all having a great summer! - end -