ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Collection as a Critical Step in the Sustainable
Management of Food Waste from Housing Estates
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1
Department of Applied and Landscape Ecology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1,
613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
2
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, třída Generála Píky 1999/5, 613 00 Brno,
Czech Republic
Submission date: 2024-11-11
Final revision date: 2025-01-14
Acceptance date: 2025-02-16
Online publication date: 2025-03-27
Corresponding author
Markéta Škrabalová
Department of Applied and Landscape Ecology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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ABSTRACT
The study investigated the effect of different collection containers on parameters such as pH
development, moisture, internal and external temperatures, gas emission (NH3, H2S, and O2), and food
waste microbial analysis. It was also focused on the effects of additives such as tea tree oil, calcium
carbonate, and citric acid. Research results showed that temperature and moisture content inside the
tested containers corresponded to external temperatures and did not lead to fast degradation of the food
waste. Lower temperatures in some containers were attributed to design features such as perforation of
walls and poor lid tightness, which led to a higher presence of insects and larvae in the food waste. Most
containers exhibited no significant emissions of NH3 and H2S; an increased content of H2S was recorded
in one container only. pH values were within the optimal range for the growth of microorganisms
and food bacteria, such as Pseudomonas and lactobacilli, were identified. The application of additives
resulted in emission parameters acceptable for food waste stored in containers for 14 days. The type of
collection container and application of additives can affect food waste conservation conditions, which
supports sustainable food waste management.