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Poster Short Abstract

The Museum of Food Waste is a citizen science project where students monitor school canteen waste, co-create solutions, and gain their first research experience—showing how science can also reach and engage less favourable or peripheral regions.

Poster Abstract

The Museum of Food Waste (MOFWaste) is a citizen science project implemented in a semi-rural region of northern Portugal, where direct access to research centers and scientific initiatives is limited within the school community. For most participating students, MOFWaste represented their first experience in approaching science, offering a hands-on and collaborative introduction to research.

The project monitors food waste in school canteens across Esposende and Viana do Castelo, engaging students aged 10–15 as active participants in every stage — from collecting and analyzing data to co-creating waste reduction strategies through participatory workshops. This student-centered methodology promoted scientific literacy, critical thinking, and a sense of environmental and social responsibility.

Initially planned for three school canteens, the project expanded to six with the support of the Municipality of Esposende and the IMPETUS program, reflecting growing community engagement. Over 40 consecutive days in 2024, 536 students recorded and categorized 6.24 tonnes of food waste, including plate leftovers, kitchen surplus, and inedible waste.

Beyond data collection, students connected their findings to broader social and ethical questions. They examined how food waste contributes to inequality and impacts vulnerable groups, while developing empathy for canteen staff and respect for their work. The project thus linked everyday practices to global sustainability goals and food justice issues.

MOFWaste demonstrates how citizen science can flourish in semi-rural contexts by transforming schools into active research spaces and empowering young people as “change agents.” It generated valuable data to inform local policies and fostered a culture of sustainability and civic participation.

The Museum of Food Waste – because food waste should be in the past received the EU Citizen Science – Diversity and Collaboration Award 2025, recognizing its inclusive, student-driven approach to tackling food waste.