At JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), sustainability is not just a goal but a core part of our operational strategy. Through innovative systems of food waste management, we aim to reduce waste, promote responsible resource utilization, and create an eco-conscious campus. This comprehensive report highlights the institution’s initiatives in tracking food waste, generating biogas for cooking using the kitchen waste, and empowering students through student-led committees responsible for hostel operations. These initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to sustainability, student welfare, and a cleaner environment.
JSS AHER actively tracks food waste across its six hostels and various dining facilities, focusing on minimizing both kitchen waste and plate waste. This comprehensive monitoring system includes regular checks on the amount of food prepared, served, and wasted, with logs kept identifying trends and areas needing improvement. Through active involvement, students contribute to this initiative by reporting leftovers and providing feedback.
Total Food Wastes In KG
| Sl. No | Month | JSS MI Campus Hostels | JSSCPM Hostels | JSSCPO Hostels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys Hostel | Girls Hostel | Girls Hostel | Boys Hostel | Girls Hostel | Boys Hostel | ||
| 1 | Jun-23 | 4104 | 2055 | 254 | 759 | 0 | 195 |
| 2 | Jul-23 | 4360 | 2250 | 394 | 1169 | 0 | 255 |
| 3 | Aug-23 | 3810 | 2470 | 492 | 1600 | 130 | 445 |
| 4 | Sep-23 | 4062 | 3330 | 502 | 1519 | 462 | 170 |
| 5 | Oct-23 | 3796 | 3330 | 530 | 1501 | 452 | 120 |
| 6 | Nov-23 | 3676 | 2340 | 265 | 1433 | 441 | 170 |
| 7 | Dec-23 | 3426 | 2090 | 284 | 1285 | 324 | 75 |
| 8 | Jan-24 | 3664 | 2230 | 1036 | 813 | 60 | 0 |
| 9 | Feb-24 | 3894 | 3050 | 1633 | 1063 | 237 | 150 |
| 10 | Mar-24 | 4281 | 2880 | 1712 | 943 | 326 | 273 |
| 11 | Apr-24 | 3705 | 2850 | 1513 | 909 | 155 | 176 |
| 12 | May-24 | 1953 | 3070 | 1520 | 881 | 248 | 243 |
| Total | 44731 | 31945 | 10135 | 13875 | 2835 | 2272 | |
| Sl.no | Particulars | Total Food Waste (June-23 to May-24) in KG's | Total Students Residing in Hostels | Amount of Waste per Student | Wastage per Student per Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JSSMC Boys Hostel | 44731 | 662 | 67.58 | 0.19 |
| 2 | JSSMC Girls Hostel | 31945 | 286 | 111.53 | 0.31 |
| 3 | JSSCPM Girls Hostel | 10135 | 302 | 33.52 | 0.09 |
| 4 | JSSCPM Boys Hostel | 13875 | 175 | 79.29 | 0.22 |
| 5 | JSSCPO Girls Hostel | 2835 | 220 | 12.89 | 0.04 |
| 6 | JSSCPO Boys Hostel | 2272 | 310 | 7.33 | 0.02 |
| 7 | Total | 105793 | 1956 | 54.10 | 0.15 |
| Food Waste Details (In KG) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sl. No. | Month | Student Plate Waste | Kitchen Vegetable Waste | Kitchen Leftover Waste | Total (In KG) |
| 1 | Jul-23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4360 |
| 2 | Aug-23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3810 |
| 3 | Sep-23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4062 |
| 4 | Oct-23 | 1566 | 794 | 1496 | 3856 |
| 5 | Nov-23 | 1559 | 832 | 1483 | 3874 |
| 6 | Dec-23 | 1191 | 718 | 1537 | 3446 |
| 7 | Jan-24 | 1337 | 735 | 1592 | 3664 |
| 8 | Feb-24 | 1624 | 1041 | 1469 | 4134 |
| 9 | Mar-24 | 1651 | 828 | 1802 | 4281 |
| 10 | Apr-24 | 1634 | 540 | 1531 | 3705 |
| 11 | May-24 | 750 | 302 | 901 | 1953 |
| 12 | Jun-24 | 1287 | 582 | 1163 | 3032 |
| Total | 12599 | 6372 | 12974 | 31945 | |
At JSS AHER, we convert a significant portion of our food waste into renewable energy through biogas plants installed on campus. This initiative is part of our ongoing sustainability drive, helping us reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources and manage waste more effectively.
In addition to biogas production, any remaining food waste is handed over to local swine husbandries as part of our waste recycling initiatives. By channeling leftover food to pig farms, we help avoid landfilling and further minimize environmental impact.
This comprehensive strategy ensures that our food waste is utilized to its fullest potential, either for biogas production or animal feed, making JSS AHER a model of waste management and environmental responsibility.
The Food waste generated are weighed and carried in drums and subjected to composting at Gudalur, The Nilgiris.
Reducing food waste at its source is key to our strategy. At JSS AHER, several targeted measures are in place to minimize the amount of food discarded across our campus:
Our menus are developed in by the student representatives in collaboration with the hostel supervisors, Kitchen staff and professional nutritionists, ensuring that meals are not only nutritionally balanced but also designed to minimize leftovers. Menus take into account student preferences and dietary requirements, further reducing food waste.
Kitchen staff receive training on portion control, ensuring that each student is served the appropriate amount of food, reducing over-serving and unnecessary waste.
Signboards, placards, and slogans are displayed prominently in dining halls, encouraging students to take only what they can consume. These campaigns emphasize mindful eating and are part of our broader effort to instill sustainable habits in our students.
Posters promoting no food "No Food Waste" posters displayed in dining
Proverbs and Sign boards in the dining hall promoting “No Food Waste”
Regular feedback sessions are held with students to gather input on food quality, portion sizes, and menu variety. This helps us make adjustments that ensure meals are aligned with student preferences, further reducing the likelihood of wasted food.
At the heart of JSS AHER’s food and hostel management system is the Hostel Review Committee. This committee is composed of student representatives and meets regularly to discuss key issues related to hostel life, particularly the quality of food and the menu.
Key Responsibilities of the Hostel Review Committee:
By involving students directly in these processes, we ensure that hostel services are tailored to meet their needs. This collaborative model fosters a sense of community and ownership, helping students feel more connected to their campus environment.
In alignment with our commitment to sustainability, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) has implemented a program to repurpose a portion of our food waste for organic vermicomposting. Food waste from our campus dining facilities, including kitchen vegetable scraps and plate waste, is collected and processed in our on-campus vermicomposting units. This initiative serves as a practical and eco-friendly solution, transforming waste into nutrient-rich compost that meets the manure needs of our campus gardens and plantations.
The compost produced not only reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers but also supports the growth and maintenance of greenery across the campus, including flower beds, landscaped areas, and student-led garden projects. This closed-loop system demonstrates our commitment to reducing waste while promoting sustainable agricultural practices on campus.
Through these efforts, JSS AHER fosters an environmentally responsible community that embraces waste reduction and resourcefulness, turning food waste into a valuable asset for campus sustainability.
Through its comprehensive food waste management system, biogas generation, and student-driven hostel operations, JSS AHER demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. The institution's proactive approach to tracking food waste, utilizing renewable energy, and recycling leftover food for organic manure preparation ensures minimal environmental impact. Coupled with the involvement of students in decision-making processes, these efforts create a sustainable, inclusive, and waste-conscious campus.
JSS AHER is continuously adapting and improving its strategies, ensuring that our campus remains at the forefront of sustainability and resource conservation, contributing to a greener and more responsible future.
