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Volume 23
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10.3390/ijerph23020146
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Project Report

Sustainability on the Menu: Assessing the Role of Hospital Cafeteria Composting in Advancing Planetary Health Initiatives

by
Lawrence Huang
*,
Alex Jin
,
Katherine Wainwright
,
Joseph R. Junkin
,
Asghar Shah
,
Nadine Najah
,
Alexander Pralea
and
Bryce K. Perler
The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(2), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020146
Submission received: 1 December 2025 / Revised: 13 January 2026 / Accepted: 19 January 2026 / Published: 23 January 2026
Versions Notes

Abstract

U.S. hospitals generate considerable food waste, contributing to environmental degradation strategies. This study evaluated the feasibility, impact, and perception of a novel composting program implemented at Rhode Island Hospital over six months beginning in December 2024. Compostable waste bins were installed in the cafeteria with educational signage. Surveys assessing composting knowledge, attitudes, and roles in waste management were distributed to staff, patients, and administrators. Collected food waste was transported to Bootstrap Compost, which provided daily weight data used to estimate greenhouse gas emissions reductions, compare composting with landfill disposal costs, and project annual outcomes. Over the study period, 490.6 kg of food waste were diverted from landfills, corresponding to a reduction of 0.35 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions. While composting was more expensive than landfill disposal ($6.45/kg vs. $0.24/kg), cost neutrality could be achieved with diversion rates at or above 116 kg per day. Surveys revealed strong support for composting but limited awareness of its relevance to healthcare’s environmental footprint. Respondents suggested improvements in education, signage, and infrastructure. This program demonstrated how hospital-based composting initiatives align with healthcare institutions’ environmental stewardship goals while highlighting financial and logistical challenges relevant for pilot–scale efforts.
Keywords: hospital food waste; composting; hospital sustainability initiatives; planetary health hospital food waste; composting; hospital sustainability initiatives; planetary health

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Huang, L.; Jin, A.; Wainwright, K.; Junkin, J.R.; Shah, A.; Najah, N.; Pralea, A.; Perler, B.K. Sustainability on the Menu: Assessing the Role of Hospital Cafeteria Composting in Advancing Planetary Health Initiatives. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 146. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020146

AMA Style

Huang L, Jin A, Wainwright K, Junkin JR, Shah A, Najah N, Pralea A, Perler BK. Sustainability on the Menu: Assessing the Role of Hospital Cafeteria Composting in Advancing Planetary Health Initiatives. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2026; 23(2):146. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020146

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huang, Lawrence, Alex Jin, Katherine Wainwright, Joseph R. Junkin, Asghar Shah, Nadine Najah, Alexander Pralea, and Bryce K. Perler. 2026. "Sustainability on the Menu: Assessing the Role of Hospital Cafeteria Composting in Advancing Planetary Health Initiatives" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 23, no. 2: 146. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020146

APA Style

Huang, L., Jin, A., Wainwright, K., Junkin, J. R., Shah, A., Najah, N., Pralea, A., & Perler, B. K. (2026). Sustainability on the Menu: Assessing the Role of Hospital Cafeteria Composting in Advancing Planetary Health Initiatives. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(2), 146. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020146

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