Foodservice and Solid Waste Policies: A View in Three Dimensions

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to discuss the solid waste problem from three perspectives—that of the foodservice industry/operator, the solid waste policymakers in government, and the public, including foodservice consumers. The foodservice industry believes that government policies are making a scapegoat of them. Policy makers view solid waste problems as a priority; costly and complex to implement. They must deal with a general public that is unwilling to accept landfills, waste-to-energy plants, and source reduction. Acronyms such as NIMBY (not in my backyard) summarize the dilemma the policy maker faces in dealing with the public. Finally, the foodservice consumer is concerned both with the disposal of solid waste, and with overall environmental quality, but is accustomed to the convenience and functionality of disposables. At the same time, the public/consumers sometimes vilify the industry due to misperceptions and, perhaps, the tendency to target blame.