31/10/2021 18:02:00

The capital is further developing its municipal waste management system. After the successful introduction of nationwide collection of biowaste of plant biowaste, we now focus on biowaste with the share of animal components, the so-called gastrowaste.

After a pilot project for the collection of this type of waste in the form of kitchen residues of plant and animal origin from households, Prague is now introducing the collection of gastro-waste from school canteens. Private entities, especially canteens and restaurants, can also take part.

“The proportion of biodegradable waste that can be re-used after sorting is high in our mixed waste, amounting to 30 to 40 percent. This project is another piece in the mosaic, which aims to collect this type of waste throughout the city and use it to produce clean energy and biogas. This is another step on the way to reducing CO2 emissions and fulfilling the Climate Plan of the Capital City of Prague. I believe that other schools or restaurants and canteens will also use the city system, which offers them the opportunity to behave responsibly and support the principles of the circular economy, “says Petr Hlubuček, Deputy Mayor for the Environment.

The project of collecting gastro-waste from school canteens was launched in September this year in 28 schools, the main founder being the City Hall. m of Prague. These schools are also operators of school canteens. First, the administrative part of the project took place, when schools concluded contracts with the city to ensure free regular collection of gastro-waste and at the same time collection containers for gastro-waste with a volume of 120 and 30 liters were distributed. From October, the Regular Collection itself started. It is organized in different frequencies from twice a week to 5 times a week depending on the size of the catering facility, in an exchangeable way, so that the school always receives a clean container. This ensures all hygiene standards. All collected gastro-waste will then be used in a biogas plant.

Other private entities, such as commercial canteens and other restaurants, can also join the newly introduced system. Information about the project and involvement options are available on the website HERE.

“But the best waste is the one that is not created at all, and this is doubly true for food. As part of the circular economy strategy being prepared, we will place greater and greater emphasis on this area, and school facilities are an ideal place for an educational campaign, ”adds Deputy Petr Hlubuček.

“Within the framework of the Klimtický plan of Prague, it is necessary to solve the whole agenda, which helps the environment in the city. Therefore, within the framework of investment supporters, Prague schools tried not only to reduce adverse impacts on the environment in the form of energy savings in operational measures, but also to sort gastronomic waste from school canteens. This will not only reduce the total volume of municipal waste, but we can even create clean bioenergy or heat from it in a biogas plant. Residues from school canteens are simply an ideal raw material for further use, “concludes Vít Šimral, councilor for education.