CPS Composts: Dont Throw Me Away!

Initial Dining Center Assessment Notes

Breakfast / Lunch (please circle)
[In the Kitchen]
School Name: _____________________________
Key Contact Person: _________________________

Date: _____________
Time: _____________

Meal Served: ________________________________________________________________

*Request copy of lunch menu for remainder of school year

Instructions for Assessor:

Introduce yourself to kitchen staff. Explain the purpose of our assessment. Let staff know that our goal is to
simplify their system (not complicate it) in a way that best works for them, in order to more efficiently capture
food waste produced in kitchen. Observe and note how their current system operates. Ask questions regarding
what challenges they currently face, as well as challenges they foresee arriving in implementing this program.

Type of kitchen:
Prep Warming
From __________ to __________
At what time each day is breakfast typically served?
At what time each day is lunch typically served?
From __________ to __________
Is food served in the: Classroom Lunchroom Both
If served in classroom, in how many and in which rooms?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
On average daily:
How many bagged breakfasts are given out?
How many lunches are served?
How many milk cartons are given out?
During Breakfast
During Lunch
How many trays ( Styrofoam / Reusable ) are used?
If reusable, are trays cleaned by hand or in dishwasher machine?

__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
____________________________________

Does the kitchen recycle? YES NO

If YES, what materials are recycled?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Does the kitchen separate food scraps? YES NO

Is Aramark having food waste weighed and logged? YES NO
Comments:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Waste Collection Containers

Check
Box if
Present

Type

Landfill Bin

Recycling Bin

Food Waste Bin

(For Aramark)

Compost Bin

#
Present

#
Filled

Size
(Gallons)

Location

When is waste picked up by custodial staff? (Ask Custodian)

During breakfast period
During lunch period
After breakfast period
After all lunch periods
If DURING, how often is waste picked up?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Are containers full when emptied? (Ask Custodian)

Landfill
YES NO N/A
Recycling
YES NO N/A
Compost
YES NO N/A
What items are thrown away the most?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Are leftover food items stored in fridge or thrown away after each meal period?
Example: Unopened milk cartons from breakfast; Bagged mini carrots from lunch
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Waste Stream Data Log

Type of Waste

Count

Weight (In Pounds)

% Contaminated

Landfill
Recycling
Food Waste
Milk Cartons
Total
Comments:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
General space constraint observations:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Additional comments/questions/concerns presented by kitchen staff:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Assessment Checklist:
Photo(s) of Lunchroom
Photo(s) of Kitchen
Photos of each Waste Disposal Container
Copy of Lunch and Breakfast Menu
Equipment Needs:
Type

Quantity

Observers Name: ________________________________________________

Size (Gallons)

Supplemental Questions:
Where would kitchen staff like compost bins to be located?
(If we were collecting food scraps here, at what location would it be best to place a compost bin..?)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
What challenges does kitchen staff anticipate in implementing this program?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________