RESUMO Estudos sobre a geração de resíduos sólidos e desperdício de alimentos em restaurantes são importantes e necessários para a gestão gastronômica e definição de planos de gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos. Essa pesquisa avaliou o balanço mássico de um restaurante de um hotel na Região Turística Uva e Vinho no Rio Grande do Sul. Foram coletados dados durante períodos de alta e baixa temporada, caracterizados pela ocorrência ou não de eventos na região (nove semanas intercaladas). Todos os alimentos crus e processados (utilizados no preparo das refeições e oferecidos aos hóspedes) e os resíduos gerados foram quantificados. Constatou-se que o desperdício de alimentos ocorre, em geral, devido à oferta ser maior do que o consumo. Conclui-se sobre a importância do desenvolvimento de estudos direcionados à geração e descarte de resíduos sólidos em restaurantes no sentido de otimizar os procedimentos no planejamento gastronômico, reduzir o desperdício de alimentos e adotar técnicas de reaproveitamento e de tratamento desses resíduos.

ABSTRACT Studies on the generation of solid waste and food waste in restaurants are important and necessary for the culinary management and the definition of plans for solid waste management. This research evaluated the mass balance of a hotel restaurant in the touristic region Uva e Vinho in Rio Grande do Sul Data were collected during periods of high and low season, characterized by the occurrence of events in the region (nine weeks interspersed). All raw and processed food (used in the preparation of meals and offered to guests) and waste generated were quantified. It was found that the food waste generally occurs because the supply is larger than the consumption. We conclude on the importance of the development of studies directed to the generation and disposal of solid waste in restaurants in order to optimize the procedures in the gastronomic planning, reduce food waste and adopt techniques of reuse and treatment of this residues.

What criteria are used by guests for selecting accommodation? Is the development of programmes or practices related to environmental education in the context of different types of accommodation a criteria used by guests for selecting accommodation? Do guests take environmental actions implemented by accommodations into consideration? In order to provide the answers to these questions, a research was undertaken with guests of two hotels, exhibitors of a business event and participants of an academic event in the city of Caxias do Sul, which is located in the Grape and Wine Region. Questionnaire was the technique used for data collection. In total 316 questionnaires were considered valid for this research. The findings suggest that 56.5% of research participants do not search for information regarding environmental policies or practices developed by accommodations and 25,6% have never considered such issue. Only 8.2% of research participants do not take into account environmental practices developed by accommodations during the period of their stay. With regard to programmes or practices related to environmental education offered by accommodations, only 19% of research participants highlight that these are criteria for selecting accommodation. Based on the research results it is possible to conclude that it is important to develop informal activities of environmental education in the scope of accommodations, with the purpose of providing a space for critical reflexion and social learning for guests in order to enable them to make better and informed decisions regarding accommodations which show their concern with environmental sustainability.

¿Qué criterios utilizan los huéspedes para elegir los medios de hospedaje? ¿El desarrollo de programas o prácticas de educación ambiental en los medios de hospedaje es un criterio utilizado por los huéspedes para elegir el hospedaje? ¿Los huéspedes observan las prácticas ambientales implementadas en los medios de hospedaje? Para responder estas preguntas se realizó un estudio con los huéspedes de dos medios de hospedaje, expositores de un evento de negocios y participantes de un evento académico en el municipio de Caxias do Sul, localizado en la Región Uva y Vino. La técnica de recolección de datos utilizada fue el cuestionario y fueron considerados válidos 316 de ellos. El 56,5% de los sujetos no pregunta antes o durante su estadía si el hospedaje implementa prácticas o políticas ambientales y el 25,6 % nunca pensó en preguntar. Sólo el 8,2% de los entrevistados no observan las prácticas ambientales implementadas en esos emprendimientos durante el período de hospedaje. En relación a los programas o prácticas de educación ambiental desarrolladas en los medios de hospedaje, sólo el 19% afirmó que esos son criterios de elección del hospedaje. Los resultados permiten establecer la importancia de implementar la educación ambiental informal en los medios de hospedaje, propiciando a los huéspedes un espacio de reflexión crítica y de aprendizaje, en el sentido de internalizar la dimensión ambiental y que sus elecciones recaigan sobre los establecimientos que demuestran preocupación por la sustentabilidad ambiental.