Page 148 - Towards A Sustainable Future 2024

During the environmental review of Peacehaven operations, Plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries if
the ESI team observed environmental aspects related to not managed effectively. It poses a significant challenge due
electricity consumption, use of plastic bottles for nasogastric to its durability and slow degradation. Despite this, only 15%
tube feeding, excessive diaper usage, use of plastic bento of plastic waste is typically recycled. Therefore, the ESI team
food trays, and excess water consumption. The team decided to address the issue of plastic waste by focusing on
also surveyed the staff’s perceptions of environmental the bento sets used for meals provided to the residents of
sustainability (Figure 2). Peacehaven. We aimed to reduce plastic waste and minimise
food wastage.
The survey results revealed that 42% of the staff expressed
concern about using plastic bento trays in their wards In 2020, Peacehaven opted to engage a vendor to supply
(Figure 3). Additionally, 23% were worried about electricity meals for the residents as a precautionary measure to
wastage, 16% were concerned about the use of plastic milk prevent the spread of COVID-19. This decision increased
bottles, and 7% focused on water wastage; the remaining plastic usage and food waste after each meal. Before the
respondents cited concern about food wastage. pandemic, the kitchen at Peacehaven prepared all meals in-
house. When the project began in mid-2022, the COVID-19
situation had improved. Despite this change, Peacehaven
continued to rely on bento tray sets. Our team recognised
this gap and introduced an alternative solution to reduce
plastic usage.
The ESI team quantified the environmental impact, in
terms of the carbon footprint, of using bento sets for meals
provided to the residents. An empty bento tray weighs 55g
(Figure 4a and b). The cost of the food served without the tray
was a discount of $0.54 for each food serving. The vendor
supplies 308 bento meals daily. This information allowed the
team to calculate the potential reduction in plastic usage
Figure 2: Survey on environment sustainability. and associated carbon footprint by opting for meals without
plastic containers.

Table 2: Calculations of the total carbon emission for using
the bento set.

Total meals in a day supplied by the vendor 308 sets of bento
sets
Total meals in a year (308 x 365) 112,420 sets
Weight of single plastic container 55g
A total plastic container used in a year (55g 6183.1kg
x 112,420)
Figure 3: Bento food tray. Carbon emissions caused by using a plastic 37,098.6 kg
container CO2(A)

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