Sanitation Standards
6. Waste handling and disposal
Food wastes must not be collected in the same space as the food that is being processed. Residues that are generated during processing can be collected in closed garbage containers in such a way that soiling and cross-contamination is prevented. At the end of a shift, or even more frequently, these containers are emptied into dumpsters outside the processing area, and washed.
Dumpsters must be free of pests and covered if possible. Hazardous wastes are to be collected in seperate and clearly marked containers, that prevent confusion with food processing ingredients.
Priority for every modern company should be to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and to recycle or valorize as much of the waste products as possible. The food processing industry has some particular issues and options, due to the large amounts of fresh organic wastes that often accumulate on a daily basis. These have a short 'shelf life' and need to be disposed of quickly. On the other hand are these types of wastes often good sources for making e.g. animal feeds, other by-products like vinegar or soap, or to be recycled as compost, biogas or fuel.
Picture gallery: Removal options for organic waste
Important in any case is the separation of different waste type as to enable any form of waste management. Ideally, organic wastes are immediately removed from the production area, e.g. through waste shutters in the wall and/or conveyor belts. Organic waste can then be loaded into dumpsters or directly shredded and
transported to its destination (e.g. holding chamber for the biogas
digester). Care needs to be taken that organic wastes for composting or
biogads production are not mixed with plastics or garbage from the trash
bins.
Items such as cardboard, clean plastic,
metal and paper are all commodities that can be sold to recyclers. In a first step they should be reduced in size/volume (compressed) and stored seperately in a dry place before collection. Paper and cardboard however, can also be used as carbon-rich material in compost making, if the organic waste is very moist.
In order to ensure separation of different waste types, trash bins in the production area, the changing rooms, washrooms and in the canteen need to be color coded and clearly labeled for their intended use and regularly inspected for compliance.
All staff members need to be regularly trained on correct waste handling.