Jacky Foo, USP-Samoa wrote:
>To Manfred Fehr:
>You wrote
>>We developed a philosophy to cope
>>with the problem. And we know it works, because we have tried it out.
>With reference to your attempt to study the different types of biodegradable
>wastes and their amounts generated, there are approaches used to reduce
>scraps and losses. Some countries have reduced food scraps by providing food
>that is prepared so that 100 % of the item that is sold is used. For example,
>selling fillet fish instead of whole fish or cut and mixed vegetables (fresh
>and frozen), etc. Refrigeration has helped to contribute to losses in scraps
>as well as losses.
 

Sorry, I did not catch the meaning of this last sentence. As for the
preparation of ready-to-eat food items, it does not eliminate scraps. It simply produces
them in a different place. Instead of appearing in household garbage, they will
appear in industrial residues, but they do not vanish.
 

>This is characteristic of many developed countries where there is a higher
>amount of non-biodegradables because of the reduction of biodegradables but
>also because of the increase use of non-biodegradables via packaging.
>
>Samoan radio had a broadcast from New Zealand on how to diet........the
>advice is  dont eat all you take and to leave some food on your plate !
 

Well, since we are in the general opinion-type part of our discussion, I venture to call this a rather childish approach to an adult problem. What a lack of creativity!
 

>Before the week ends, I hope you can re-brief us again on the philosophy on
>how to reduce the amount of biodegradables in garbage.

O.K. here goes. There is a big misunderstanding which I need to clear up.

Our goal is not, nor has it ever been, to reduce the amount of biodegradables
in the garbage. Our goal is to divert biodegradables from landfills, which is
something quite different.

The philosophy that will lead to this diversion is based on public relations
and intense personal contacts. Residents have to be convinced of why they
should collect biodegradables in a separate bag. There are a lot of reasons
and conveniences associated with this simple practice.

In Brazil specifically, they range from clean air in the kitchen and sanitary
conditions at the curb side, all the way to returning used
matter to nature instead of burying it on the trash planet. We have
experimented with this type of personal contacts, with excellent results.
People asked us, why nobody from the public administration had ever told them
about these obvious considerations.

Our understanding is that solid waste and public dialog have never been
priorities in public administrations, but the time will come when they are.
We just hope that it will not be too late. We are available right now to any
municipal administration for consulting, and this is our job as academes.

Thanks Jacky for the pertinent comments and questions.
M.Fehr