Disposal of food waste in a creche

1. Need for safe disposal of food waste in a creche

• Prevents the spread of diseases: Spoiled or leftover food attracts flies, rodents and germs. If not disposed of properly, it can become a source of infection and foodborne illness among children and staff.
• Maintains cleanliness and hygiene: Timely removal of food waste keeps the creche environment clean, odor-free, and pleasant, making it safe for children to play, eat and learn.
• Reduces pest infestation: Rotten food left in open bins or corners can attract insects, rats, and stray animals, which pose a serious health risk.
• Protects the health of children: Children are vulnerable to infections. Proper disposal of food waste reduces the risk of contamination and illness, especially in group settings like creches.
• Avoids foul smell and discomfort: Food waste, if left unattended, starts smelling bad, making the environment uncomfortable for children, staff, and visitors.

2. Collecting food waste properly

• Collect food waste immediately after meals to avoid attracting flies and pests.
• Include leftover food, dropped food, vegetable peels and spoiled items.
• Use 3 specific bins for dry waste, food waste, eggshells and vegetable matters.
• The bins should have tight fitting lids.

3. Maintaining hygiene

• Collect the dropped food waste from the floor using dust pans. Use spoons to collect leftover food from the containers. Put them in a separate dustbin.
• Cut vegetables on a clean polythene sheet and keep the peeled skin separately. Put them in a separate dustbin.
• Keep eggshells in a separate dustbin.
• Keep a separate dustbin for polythene and paper wastes.
• After disposing of food waste, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clean and disinfect the food waste bin at least once a day.

4. Methods of Disposal of wastes

1. Vegetable waste (peels, cuttings, spoiled veggies)

• Collect in a separate bin labeled “vegetable waste”
• Dispose into a covered compost pit located outside the creche and away from play and food areas.
• Mix with dry leaves, ashes (if available) or paper if any for better composting.

2. Egg shells

• It is better to rinse the eggshells with water to avoid smell or flies.
• Egg shells should be crushed.
• The crushed eggshells should be to the compost pit.
• Do not mix with general garbage or throw it near the creche compound.

3. Food leftovers (from plates or cooking)

* Plain cooked food(rice/roti)

• Feed to domestic animals if suitable and safe (not spoiled, not spicy)
• If not usable, bury it in a waste pit daily and cover it with soil.

* Oily or spoiled food

• Do not compost
• Bury it in a deep pit far from the creche.

* Dry Wastes – Plastic wrappers, Non decomposable materials etc.,

5. Important Don’ts

• Do not throw any food waste in open drains or near the creche.
• Do not mix vegetable waste with plastic, paper or diapers.
• Do not leave food waste in open containers.
• Keep the dust bins away from the reach of children.

6. Important Do’s

• Always wash hands after handling waste
• Clean bins daily with soap and water
• Keep waste bins covered and away from children.

7. Encourage good practices

• Creche caregivers to cook appropriate quantities to minimize leftovers.
• Clean the leftovers immediately.
• Segregating the food waste and keeping it in separate dustbins.