Abstract

This paper explores the widely held assumption, particularly in Sweden, that a stressful environment in school canteens contributes to increased plate waste. Despite the prevalence of this belief, no empirical studies have been conducted to demonstrate it. This research aims to fill that gap by focusing on noise levels in school canteens, using noise as a measurable indicator of stress among students. Noise is also viewed as a sign of a suboptimal meal environment, which could lead to reduced food consumption and increased waste.
In addition to measuring noise, the study employs a plate waste tracker to capture detailed data on food waste. The result is a longitudinal dataset that records food waste per child (in g/person), complete with time stamps. Simultaneously, time-series data on noise levels (measured in decibels every 5 minutes) is collected from the same schools. The hypothesis is that plate waste per person will be higher during or shortly after periods of elevated noise. Moreover, the study tests whether schools with higher average plate waste also exhibit consistently higher average noise levels or more extreme noise peaks.