Chapter 19 Salads and Dressings 315
Composting
What happens to lettuce trimmings or
carrot peels once they go into the trash?
Typically, they end up in a landfill where
they will slowly decompose in an anaerobic
environment (without oxygen). The nutrients
contained in those food scraps could be used
to help grow more vegetables, but instead
are forever lost in the landfill. Additionally,
as food in landfills slowly decomposes it
creates methane gas. This gas is destructive
to the atmosphere. Many restaurants are now
separating their food waste so that it can be
composted. The waste is picked up by licensed
composting companies, which are growing
in number. Composting has been practiced
by people for centuries and by nature—
always. When food is composted properly, it
biodegrades into a very rich substance that
is then used for fertilizer. Take some time
and learn what composting possibilities are
available in your community for homes and
businesses. With some effort, you can even
learn how to compost at your home!
sustainable sustainable
culinary culinary
©BananaStock Ltd.
19-8 Well-trained staff know that sanitation
procedures must be followed when handling salad
ingredients.
Sharon Day/Shutterstock.com