1
|
Xue L, Song G, Liu G. Wasted Food, Wasted Resources? A Critical Review of Environmental Impact Analysis of Food Loss and Waste Generation and Treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:7240-7255. [PMID: 38625096 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Food loss and waste (FLW) comes with significant environmental impacts and thus prevents a sustainable food system transition. Here we conducted a systematic review of 174 screened studies that assessed the environmental impacts of FLW generation and treatment. We found that the embodied impacts of FLW along the supply chain and impacts from FLW treatment received equal attention, but few studies have included both. The reviewed studies show narrow geographical (mostly conducted in industrialized countries) and food supply chain (mostly focused on the consumption stage) coverage. Life cycle analysis (LCA), material flow analysis (MFA), or their combination are the most commonly used to quantify FLW related environmental impacts. More method standardization, integration, and innovation and better FLW data with regional and stage resolution from a first-hand source are badly needed. Among the various proposed mitigation strategies covering technology, economy, behavior, and policy aspects, process optimization and waste management options are the most discussed. Our review calls for a more holistic environmental impact assessment of FLW generation and treatment and analysis of the trade-offs among different environmental impact categories and between supply chain stages, which would better inform relevant policy on effective environmental impact mitigation strategies toward sustainable food systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Xue
- College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, 100083 Beijing, China
- Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, China Agricultural University, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Guobao Song
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, 116024 Dalian, China
| | - Gang Liu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mandal M, Roy A, Das S, Rakwal R, Agrawal GK, Singh P, Awasthi A, Sarkar A. Food waste-based bio-fertilizers production by bio-based fermenters and their potential impact on the environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 353:141539. [PMID: 38417498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Increasing food waste is creating a global waste (and management) crisis. Globally, ∼1.6 billion tons of food is wasted annually, worth ∼$1.2 trillion. By reducing this waste or by turning it into valuable products, numerous economic advantages can be realized, including improved food security, lower production costs, biodegradable products, environmental sustainability, and cleaner solutions to the growing world's waste and garbage management. The appropriate handling of these detrimental materials can significantly reduce the risks to human health. Food waste is available in biodegradable forms and, with the potential to speed up microbial metabolism effectively, has immense potential in improving bio-based fertilizer generation. Synthetic inorganic fertilizers severely affect human health, the environment, and soil fertility, thus requiring immediate consideration. To address these problems, agricultural farming is moving towards manufacturing bio-based fertilizers via utilizing natural bioresources. Food waste-based bio-fertilizers could help increase yields, nutrients, and organic matter and mitigate synthetic fertilizers' adverse effects. These are presented and discussed in the review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mamun Mandal
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India
| | - Anamika Roy
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India
| | - Sujit Das
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India
| | - Randeep Rakwal
- Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, Global Sport Innovation Bldg., Room 403, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8574, Japan; GRADE Academy (Pvt.) Ltd., Birgunj, Nepal
| | | | - Pardeep Singh
- Department of Environmental Studies, PGDAV College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110065, India
| | - Amit Awasthi
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India
| | - Abhijit Sarkar
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Diana R, Martianto D, Baliwati YF, Sukandar D, Hendriadi A. Determinants of Household Food Waste in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF HUNGER & ENVIRONMENTAL NUTRITION 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2023.2174060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rian Diana
- Program of Nutrition Science, Graduate School, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Drajat Martianto
- Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Yayuk Farida Baliwati
- Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Dadang Sukandar
- Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Agung Hendriadi
- Agroindustry Research Center, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tonini P, Odina PM, Orsini F, Durany XG. Economic benefit and social impact derived by a food loss prevention strategy in the vegetable sector: A spatial and temporal analysis at the regional level. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.1043591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionReduction of food loss in the horticultural sector is critical to simultaneously support the transition toward a diet with higher consumption of vegetables and the achievement of policy goals aimed at halving the quantity of wastage by 2030. However, the lack of precise information and the presence of múltiple interconnected factors makes it difficult to assess the potential socioeconòmic benefits and therefore the decision-making process of food loss reduction strategies.MethodsA case study approach has been used to assess the econòmic loss and nutrional impact of food loss in the horticulture primary production. The selection of the main vegetable products was based on an historical series while econòmic and nutritional impact were estimated starting from national and European indicator.ResultsThe food loss correspond to 26% of the total production and 14% of the total agricultural production econòmic value. The social analysis confirm the possibility of redistributing food loss among the population even in the most critical months and areas.DiscussionThe combination of social and econòmic indicator resulted essential to provide key information at the decision-making level to pave the way for the elaboration of short- and long-term food loss reduction strategies. Indeed, no single-bullet strategy can be applied to overcome the problem of food loss as many actor with different needs are involved.
Collapse
|
5
|
Laila A, von Massow M, Bain M, Parizeau K, Haines J. Impact of COVID-19 on food waste behaviour of families: Results from household waste composition audits. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PLANNING SCIENCES 2022; 82:101188. [PMID: 34744191 PMCID: PMC8556682 DOI: 10.1016/j.seps.2021.101188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic changed consumers' purchasing and cooking behaviours, which may have resulted in changes in food waste. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on household food waste, as well as on purchasing, cooking, and food waste-related perceptions and behaviours among 19 households in Guelph, ON, Canada. METHODS Four-week food waste audits and online surveys were conducted in February-March 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and in July-August 2020 (post-COVID-19). Qualitative interviews were also conducted post-COVID-19 to explore participants' perceptions of household food changes due to COVID-19. Food waste results were analyzed using paired t-test, while survey results pre- and post-COVID-19 were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS While per capita food waste did not significantly change (meanpre = 1.076 kg per week, meanpost = 1.080 kg per week), total per capita unavoidable food waste (meanpre = 0.388 kg per week, meanpost = 0.614 kg per week) and pre capita unavoidable fruit and vegetable (meanpre = 0.289 kg per week, meanpost = 0.427 kg per week) waste significantly increased (p < 0.01) at post-COVID-19. Total per capita avoidable other waste decreased (meanpre = 0.385 kg per week, meanpost = 0.179 kg per week, p < 0.05). The increase in unavoidable food waste may relate to households cooking more often at home, as reported in interviews, or shopping less frequently and buying more per trip, as identified in the surveys. The decrease in avoidable food waste could be related to the increase in serving of leftovers (p < 0.01), as identified in the surveys, or an increase in meal planning and inventory management, as reported in interviews. CONCLUSION Future studies should investigate whether food waste-related changes in behaviour remain after the pandemic as well as any factors associated with maintaining of these behaviours. Interventions may be an opportunity to help households maintain these changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amar Laila
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Mike von Massow
- Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Maggie Bain
- Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Kate Parizeau
- Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jess Haines
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
More Than Fish—Framing Aquatic Animals within Sustainable Food Systems. Foods 2022; 11:foods11101413. [PMID: 35626983 PMCID: PMC9141230 DOI: 10.3390/foods11101413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquatic animals are diverse in terms of species, but also in terms of production systems, the people involved, and the benefits achieved. In this concept piece, we draw on literature to outline how the diversity of aquatic animals, their production, and their consumption all influence their impact within the food system. Built on evidence from an array of reductionist and non-reductionist literature, we suggest that food systems researchers and policymakers adapt current methods and theoretical frameworks to appropriately contextualise aquatic animals in broader food systems. We do this through combining current understandings of food systems theory, value chain, livelihoods, nutritional outcomes, and planetary boundaries thinking. We make several claims around understanding the role of aquatic animals in terms of nutritional output and environmental impacts. We suggest a need to consider: (1) the diversity of species and production methods; (2) variable definitions of an “edible yield”; (3) circular economy principles and the impacts of co-products, and effects beyond nutrient provision; (4) role of aquatic animals in the overall diet; (5) contextual effects of preservation, preparation, cooking, and consumer choices; (6) globalised nature of aquatic animal trade across the value chain; and (7) that aquatic animals are produced from a continuum, rather than a dichotomy, of aquaculture or fisheries. We conclude by proposing a new framework that involves cohesive interdisciplinary discussions around aquatic animal foods and their role in the broader food system.
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang L, Qin T, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Wu Z, Cui X, Zhou G, Li C, Guo L, Jiang G. Exploring the nitrogen reservoir of biodegradable household garbage and its potential in replacing synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in China. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12621. [PMID: 35111391 PMCID: PMC8781309 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable household garbage contains a large amount of nitrogen, which could be used as organic fertilizer to produce organic food and significantly reduce synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. There is limited information on how large the nitrogen reservoir of biodegradable household garbage is in a certain country or region. Here we took China as a case, analyzed the amount of biodegradable household garbage resources and their nitrogen reservoirs. It was noted that the biodegradable household garbage mainly included food waste, waste paper and wood chips, with the amount being 31.56, 29.55, and 6.45 × 106 t·a-1, respectively. Accordingly, the nitrogen reservoirs were 65.31 × 104, 6.80 × 104, and 3.81 × 104 t·a-1 in China. The nitrogen reservoir of food waste accounted for 86% of the total nitrogen reservoir of biodegradable household garbage, which was equivalent to 11% of the amount of actual absorption for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (6.20 × 106 t·a-1) by agriculture plants in China. Our findings provided a scientific basis for the classification and utilization of biodegradable household garbage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianshe Zhao
- Henan Zhongyuan Organic Agriculture Research Institute Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yicheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohui Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gaifang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Caihong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liyue Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gaoming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese 17 Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Derbyshire EJ, Finnigan TJ. Mycoprotein: A futuristic portrayal. FUTURE FOODS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91001-9.00037-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
|
9
|
Singh A, Kelkar N, Natarajan K, Selvaraj S. Review on the extraction of calcium supplements from eggshells to combat waste generation and chronic calcium deficiency. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:46985-46998. [PMID: 34269980 PMCID: PMC8384791 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15158-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
When faced with a plethora of issues, the possibility of one problem becoming the solution of another is a rare, yet beneficial scenario. This report explores the prospect of viewing the accumulation of organic waste matter in India as a potential calcium reservoir to relieve the issue of calcium deficiency in the population. Waste generation has seen gradual growth, and it has created a problem of waste disposal. A large segment of the generated waste primarily consists of food waste which contains significant amounts of nutrients. Food waste such as eggshells, waste from shellfish, bones, and fish scales contain good amounts of bioavailable calcium, and large quantities of this discarded bioavailable calcium remain unused. Global studies show India to have significantly lower levels of calcium intake than the global average, thus increasing the risk of calcium deficiency-related diseases. Furthermore, research shows that for over the past half of the century, the intake of dietary calcium has declined drastically throughout India. This has led to chronic calcium deficiency-related diseases throughout most of the Indian population. Hence, development of calcium supplements from calcium-rich waste material has the potential to not only reduce the strain on waste management, but also to provide the calcium-deficient population with a cheaper alternative to traditional supplements. Owing to the abundance and ease of separation, eggshells have been chosen as the focus of the review. This review highlights and compares their extraction methods of providing cheap calcium supplements while reducing the amount of eggshell waste.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akshita Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Nachiket Kelkar
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kannan Natarajan
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Subbalaxmi Selvaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Adelodun B, Kim SH, Odey G, Choi KS. Assessment of environmental and economic aspects of household food waste using a new Environmental-Economic Footprint (EN-EC) index: A case study of Daegu, South Korea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 776:145928. [PMID: 33640543 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
While the global food demand has continued to increase, the enormous natural resources required for its production are limited, in addition to the accompanying environmental degradation. Despite all these, food waste generation continues unabated, especially at the household level, further compounding the environmental impacts, economic cost, and food security issues. In this study, granular primary data of edible household food waste using direct-weighing from 218 households in Daegu, South Korea was used to assess the environmental (carbon footprint, and water footprint) and economic (wasted cost) impacts associated with their wastage. For the first time, the Environmental-Economic (EN-EC) Footprint index is proposed as a single indicator for environmental and economic impacts to assess the hotspot food waste products among the selected 42 major food waste items. This study presents that the selected food products had a significant contribution to an average edible food waste generation of 0.73 ± 0.06 kg (per household/day), 0.71 ± 0.05 kg CO2eq of GHG emissions, 0.46 ± 0.04 m3 of water footprint, and 3855.93 ± 527.27 won of economic loss, respectively. Based on the newly developed EN-EC Footprint index, we found that wasted animal-based food products had relatively high environmental and economic losses compared to non-animal-based food products. The findings of this study presented a novel method of estimating combined environmental and economic impacts associated with household food waste, which may further act as convenient guides for the waste management authorities and policymakers in addressing the mitigation of household food waste impacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Adelodun
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin 240103, Nigeria.
| | - Sang Hyun Kim
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Golden Odey
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Sook Choi
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Food Waste and Nutrition Quality in the Context of Public Health: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105379. [PMID: 34070070 PMCID: PMC8158126 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Food waste and nutrition are intrinsically linked in terms of environmental health and public health. Despite this, it is unknown whether these topics have been previously synthesized into a review. The aim was to identify the interdisciplinary parameters that exist in public health and nutrition literature in terms of food waste and plastic waste associated with food, and to identify how these parameters currently contribute to food sustainability messaging and interventions. A rapid scoping review was conducted. Data were mapped into concepts and synthesized in a narrative review. Four main concepts were identified: (1) food waste and diet quality, nutrient losses, and environmental health, (2) food waste reduction interventions and diet quality, (3) food banks/pantries and diet/nutritional quality, and (4) food and plastic waste messaging in nutrition or dietary guidelines. Food waste is associated with nutrient wastage, and interventions to reduce food waste can successfully address food sustainability and nutrition quality. Food redistribution systems do not currently address access to sustainably sourced foods that are also nutrient-dense for lower-income communities. Opportunities for future research and practice include aligning food waste, plastic waste, and nutrition priorities together and developing better food redistribution systems to limit wastage of high-quality foods.
Collapse
|
12
|
Marston LT, Read QD, Brown SP, Muth MK. Reducing Water Scarcity by Reducing Food Loss and Waste. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.651476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Water scarcity is a pervasive threat to society that is expected to intensify alongside a growing and more affluent population and a changing climate. In this paper, we review the existing literature to assess the potential of lessening water scarcity by reducing food loss and waste. Existing studies reveal the scope of food loss and waste and its accompanying impact on water resources, thereby providing a foundation for policy action. We highlight existing or proposed food loss and waste reduction measures and review available evidence concerning their impact on water resources. Our review reveals that there is a deficit of research that can guide specific policy interventions aimed at mitigating water scarcity by reducing food loss and waste. Instead, the last decade of research has primarily focused on quantifying the current water footprint of food loss and waste for different locations, points within the supply chain, and food groups. Yet, the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates, their lack of precision, and several simplifying assumptions make it difficult to translate this research into robust policy measures to reduce the environmental burden of food loss and waste. We conclude by advancing a research agenda that will (i) quantify and reduce uncertainty through enhanced data collection and methods; (ii) holistically assess policy measures, including system level impacts and feedback; (iii) develop methods and technologies for transparent supply chain tracing. Together, advances in these areas will guide and ground food loss and waste policy toward reducing water scarcity.
Collapse
|
13
|
Cheong JC, Lee JTE, Lim JW, Song S, Tan JKN, Chiam ZY, Yap KY, Lim EY, Zhang J, Tan HTW, Tong YW. Closing the food waste loop: Food waste anaerobic digestate as fertilizer for the cultivation of the leafy vegetable, xiao bai cai (Brassica rapa). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 715:136789. [PMID: 32006778 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The increasing world population necessitates the production of larger amounts of food in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner, while concomitantly managing an increasing amount of food waste similarly. These needs can theoretically be met by the recycling of the nutrients in food waste via anaerobic digestion, which also produces renewable energy. This hypothesis is proven by the growing of a commonly consumed leafy vegetable, xiao bai cai (Brassica rapa), by the addition of food waste anaerobic digestate in place of commercial fertilizer. Different concentrations of the digestate were tested, as well as different heat treatments to simulate hygienization, and the results for most part (aerial fresh weight, dry weight, chlorophyll content) are not significantly different from growth utilizing commercial inorganic 15:15:15 NPK fertilizer. Microbial analysis of the growth media was also carried out to explicate digestate effects and to show that some common foodborne disease pathogens were not detected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Chin Cheong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonathan T E Lee
- Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Jun Wei Lim
- Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Shuang Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Jonathan K N Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Zhong Yu Chiam
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Kar Yee Yap
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Yang Lim
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Jingxin Zhang
- China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hugh T W Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Yen Wah Tong
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
von Massow M, Parizeau K, Gallant M, Wickson M, Haines J, Ma DWL, Wallace A, Carroll N, Duncan AM. Valuing the Multiple Impacts of Household Food Waste. Front Nutr 2019; 6:143. [PMID: 31552260 PMCID: PMC6738328 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) has estimated that Canadian households waste 85 kg of food per person annually. Food waste has become an increasingly common focus for policy, regulation, interventions, and awareness-raising efforts in Canada. However, there is still a relative dearth of data to inform such decision-making processes or to provide narratives to contextualize behavior change efforts. In this paper, we describe the results of an uncommonly detailed observational study of household food waste. A total of 94 families with young children living in Guelph, Ontario chose to participate in this study. Over the course of multiple weeks, we collected data on their food purchases, food consumption, and waste generation. All three streams of waste (garbage, recycling, and organic waste) were audited and the food type, degree of avoidability, and weight of each individual component of the organic waste stream was recorded. Using this highly granular data set, we found that the average household in our study generated approximately 2.98 kg of avoidable food waste per week. This estimate was then contextualized in terms of economic losses (dollar value), nutritional losses (calories, vitamins, and minerals) and environmental impacts (global warming potential, land, and water usage). In short, weekly avoidable food waste per household was calculated to be equivalent to $18.01, 3,366 calories, and 23.3 kg of CO2. These multiple valuation frameworks, which are based in detailed observations of family food behaviors rather than estimations derived from system-wide data, will enable more informed and urgent conversations about policy, programming, and interventions in order to reduce the volume of wasted food at the consumer level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael von Massow
- Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Kate Parizeau
- Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Gallant
- Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Wickson
- Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jess Haines
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - David W L Ma
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Angela Wallace
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nicholas Carroll
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Alison M Duncan
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
The Science of Foods: Designing Our Edible Future. FUTURE FOODS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-12995-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
|