The pilot project at the Free University of Bolzano
The collaboration began with a pilot project at the Free University of Bolzano, where a KITRO smart optical scale was installed to detect and analyse food waste in real time by combining weighing technology with image capture.
The system collects information on several aspects:
- the amount of food wasted;
- food waste trends over time;
- the food categories most frequently discarded;
- the difference between production waste and food left on plates;
- potential causes of food waste;
- the estimated CO₂ equivalent associated with avoided food waste.
The data collected at the Free University of Bolzano between June 2025 and July 2026 shows a particularly positive result: plate waste averaged just 20 grams per guest, reflecting students’ commitment to reducing food waste and the operational efficiency of the university kitchen.
This result highlights the importance of accurately measuring food waste to better understand consumption habits and identify opportunities for improvement. The insights collected support more informed decisions when planning menus, managing production quantities and organising kitchen operations, helping to reduce food waste in a concrete and targeted way.
An evolving journey
Following the pilot project at the Free University of Bolzano, the initiative was also extended to the Einaudi School in Bolzano, continuing the process of collecting and analysing food waste data.
The collaboration with KITRO reinforces Markas' commitment to working with innovative partners to turn sustainability challenges into concrete opportunities for improvement, putting technology and expertise at the service of its clients, users and the communities in which it operates.
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