Using the Concept of the Weighted Ishikawa Diagram for Defining the Impact of Catering Enterprises on the Environment

Abstract

Every organization uses the various resources to achieve its aim. Among them are those that are taken from the environment, for example, energy carriers, or water. As a result of organization?s activity, some pollution is emitted to the water and atmosphere. In Poland at the moment it is seen that there is high growth rate in services in the field of institutional food that is legally obliged by polish law to implement and maintain institutional food safety system (HACCP ? Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). The organizations that implement HACCP cause as well the environmental loads that have negative impact on environment. Concerning above mentioned issue, the article undertakes a study on the answer of the question, which environmental aspect closely connected with the maintenance of the HACCP system in an institutional food service unit, has the largest impact on the pollution of the environment. The weighted Cause and Effect Ishikawa Diagram is used as a research tool to achieve this target. Its modification that is presented in scientific literature, enables to display next to qualitative information also quantitative one. In accordance with this method ?critical paths? are indicated to the most important causes that create given effect. As an effect in this article is defined ? generating of environmental loads on the environment by institutional food service unit. While causes are defined as environmental aspects, characterize this organizational part of the unit that is covered by institutional food safety system. One of them is: water consumption, municipal wastes generation, energy carriers consumption: natural gas and electric energy, inorganic waste generation, cleaning supply measures consumption, the consumption of the office materials and exploitation materials to office equipment. The analysis of the quantity of particular factors that create environmental aspects show which environmental aspects have the largest impact on environment and cause its pollution. That are: water consumption, cleaning supply measures consumption and electric energy consumption.