Chapter 12 - Policy Landscape and Recommendations to Inform Adoption of Food Waste-to-Energy Technologies

Abstract

Food waste is a global problem, both from an environmental, as well as economic standpoint. The food waste management hierarchy provides a framework for managing this waste stream, with priorities in the United States (US) and other countries centered on the concepts of prevention (e.g., source reduction), recovery, and recycling. Recycling includes converting food scraps and/or waste oils into animal feed, soil amendment (compost), or energy. The food waste-to-energy pathways, such as production of ethanol, biogas and biodiesel from waste food have the ability to divert landfill waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a renewable source of energy. However, implementation of these pathways faces several social, technological, and financial roadblocks, and a patchwork of state and local initiatives managing this waste stream. Thus, policy push is required for wide-scale adoption of food waste-to-energy technologies in the US. This chapter analyzes various policies at the US federal and state levels that directly or indirectly promote food waste-to-energy technologies. Policy approaches to promote food waste management and energy conversion vary by region and are at different levels of maturity. Subsequently, progressive global policies in countries such as South Korea and Japan that promote circular economy are analyzed, to understand the reasons behind their successful implementation of food waste management laws and promotion of food waste-to-energy technologies. Finally, recommendations are provided that can enable the US to address policy gaps towards adoption of these pathways and establish a closed-loop management system for food waste.