Abstract
This nationwide investigation aimed to collect data through surveys conducted by local governments on food loss from garbage composition and to discern general trends and behaviors relating to food waste using comparison analyses. To verify results, a waste composition survey was also carried out to inspect and clarify certain qualifying points. Findings show that in the case of avoidable food waste from daily households, the direct disposal rate decreases according to population density while as for leftovers, there was little correlation with population density. On the other hand, in the case of direct disposal from commercial activities, results suggested waste proportions decrease in urban areas of higher population density but such a correlation is lessened in the case of households. The composition survey data also revealed that data availability on the quantity of leftovers is limited and that expansion of the survey ― for commercial systems in particular ― is necessary. Lastly, the paper gives indications of certain problems found in the operation of waste composition surveys for food loss, namely the separation method of leftovers and preparation residues, weighing of the packaging, and treatment of “excessive removal”.
