Title of the action
Plato Limpio Challenge: 1 Week Measuring and Reducing Food Waste in the School Canteen

Action developer
Neto Positivo – Plato Limpio Programme (Spain)

Thematic focus

• Food waste prevention

• Education & awareness raising

• Behavioural change in schools

Description of the action
During one week, the school canteen becomes a living laboratory to tackle food waste.

1. Daily measurement: students weigh and record plate leftovers using the reducefoodwaste.io app.

2. Visualisation: results are displayed on a canteen board (kg wasted, CO₂ generated, € lost).

3. Awareness activities: every day a student group leads a creative action (posters, short performances, “sharing fruit table”, quick talks on food value).

4. Positive competition: classes compete to waste less food. The “Clean Plate Ambassadors” recognition is awarded to the best performing group.

5. Closing session: final results are presented (kg of food saved, CO₂ reduced, money saved) and the school community signs a collective pledge for sustainable food habits.

Target audience

• Primary and secondary school students

• Teachers and families

• Kitchen and canteen staff

Communication tools used

• Posters and murals

• Daily announcements in the canteen

• School social media channels

• Final report shared with families

Geographical scope
Local (with replication potential in other schools across Spain and Europe)

Duration
1 week (with option to extend as a yearly programme)

Expected impact

• 15–20% food waste reduction during the challenge week.

• Active involvement of students, teachers, families and canteen staff.

• Increased awareness of the social, environmental and economic impacts of food waste.

• A replicable model for other schools and collective canteens.