The Museum of Food Waste is a citizen science project aiming to monitor food waste in six school canteens in Esposende and Viana do Castelo (Portugal), grounded on the relevance of engaging a younger generation as upcoming agent of change. 536 students (10-15 years old) took part in several stages of the process, during 40 days of food waste monitoring in 2024. This led to identifying 6,2 tons of waste for all canteens, in the form of students’ plate leftovers, kitchen food surplus, and inedible kitchen food waste. The results were incorporated in an itinerant visual exhibition between schools, and included student-led tours. Students were also engaged in the co-creation of food waste minimization strategies, and further developed the topic in nine disciplines with the support of 26 teachers. 24 canteen staff members were also engaged and played a crucial role in identifying good practices.
The project is currently advocating for the implementation of food waste monitoring and reduction strategies in these schools.
The Museum of Food Waste / Rio Neiva–Environmental NGO - Photo: Rio Neiva–Environmental NGO
Exhibit
The Museum of Food Waste
Because food waste should be in the past.
Rio Neiva–Environmental NGO (PT)
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Rio Neiva – Environmental NGO
Founded in 1989, Rio Neiva is a community-based association dedicated to protecting and enhancing the local environment while promoting sustainable development. Recognized as a Public Interest Organization (PIO), it is an active member of CLAS – Esposende Local Council for Social Action and the Municipal Council for Environmental and Climate Action in Viana do Castelo. Since 2021, Rio Neiva has been an official partner of the New European Bauhaus. In 2024 alone, the organization recorded 9,000 participations across 300 activities.
Please note: The program for the Ars Electronica Festival 2025 is still in progress.
We are currently preparing all the information for the website and plan to put the full program online in the coming days – stay tuned!