Waste Mitigation Research Articles

Systematic review on mitigation of food loss and waste in the milk supply chain

One of the challenges of food security programs is reducing food loss and food waste in the supply chain. Food loss and waste (FLW) are not only about quantity loss but also quality loss throughout the milk supply chain. Therefore, a mitigation program is necessary to prevent FLW. This article discusses a systematic literature review on food loss and waste mitigation in the milk supply chain. The review is based on the ROSES (Reporting Standard for Systematics Evidence Synthesis) standard. The study selects articles from two primary databases, Web of Science and Scopus, and three additional databases: Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Dimensions. The review was divided into three themes based on the causes of food loss and waste: animal health, actor performance, and managerial approach. This paper suggests several significant contributions to the body of knowledge and practice. The findings highlight that collaboration among supply chain stakeholders is essential to mitigate FLW. This review gives new insight into FLW phenomena in the milk supply chain and it offers an alternative for the supply chain actors to identify the mitigation strategies.

Tackling food waste: unveiling causes, implications and solutions in Oman's fresh and short food supply chain

PurposeThis study investigates food waste within the food supply chain (FSC), for the case of fresh and short FSC (FS-FSC), aiming to (1) reveal the major causes of waste across FSC (2) identify the food waste mitigation strategies, (3) measure food waste impacts at each supply stream, and (4) propose practical initiatives to support decision/policymakers in strategic food waste management, especially in the case country.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a mixed-method approach to investigating food waste, examining existing literature using template analysis. The focus is on three key elements: factors enabling food waste, its final destinations, and strategies to reduce it. The study then gathers information from a prominent regional retailer and consumers through interviews and surveys. The empirical data collected is then analysed using template analysis and descriptive statistics.FindingsThis research highlights key waste enablers across the food supply chain networks, including procurement and storage, processing, operation strategy, people, and consumers. The enablers differed in the amount of food waste produced, and the research outcome demonstrates that the end consumers were the largest contributors to the food waste generated. The changes in people's habits and tastes significantly affect the FS-FSC. Interestingly, results demonstrated that 40% of consumers utilise food leftovers as pet food.Practical implicationsThe proposed food waste management initiatives can help companies minimise and mitigate food waste at each supply chain stage. Practitioners can use the identified causes and mitigation strategies to implement mitigation efforts and translate them into actionable plans.Originality/valueThe article outlines a practical approach for addressing food waste in an FS-FSC case throughout the entire chain, encompassing supply, distribution, catering, delivery, and consumption. The study not only sheds light on the primary reasons for food wastage but also provides insights into potential solutions that are not only effective but also feasible in real-world scenarios.

The co-design of support strategies for sustainable, healthy and affordable food provision in Early Childhood Education settings.

To co-design support strategies to enable sustainable, healthy, affordable food provision, including waste mitigation practices, in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings. Based on the co-design IDEAS framework (Ideate, DEsign, Assess & Share), this co-design process involved iterative interviews and focus groups with ECEC centre staff and workshops with Nutrition Australia. Interview and workshop themes were coded to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to develop initial prototypes for support strategies that were further developed and refined in focus groups. ECEC with onsite food provision, in Victoria, Australia. ECEC staff and a Victorian Government-funded programme delivered through Nutrition Australia that provides nutrition support to ECEC services. ECEC staff interviews (n 17) suggested a lack of knowledge on the topic of sustainable healthy food provision and a need for resources and support for all staff and children. Workshops with Nutrition Australia built on interviews and suggested a focus on lower intensity strategies and a suggestion to embed knowledge-related activities into the children's curriculum. Focus groups (n 8) further informed co-design of strategies, producing a visual representation of sustainable healthy food provision with supporting tips and a whole-of-centre approach that includes children through a classroom activity. The co-designed resources could provide feasible strategies for the adoption of sustainable, healthy and affordable provision practices in the ECEC setting. Involvement of a local government-funded health promotion service provides valuable research-to-practice contribution as well opportunity for scalable dissemination of resources through existing infrastructure.

Save food movement as a food waste mitigation scheme in the context of achieving SDGs and energy conservation in Riau province

Abstract This study analyzes the critical role of the Save Food Movement in preventing food waste and promoting energy conservation in Riau Province, Indonesia. Food waste is a significant global issue that directly impacts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on responsible production and consumption. These practices are essential for energy conservation and ensuring food availability for future generations. The increasing attention to food waste in Indonesia, especially in Riau—one of fifteen provinces participating in the Save Food Movement initiated by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas)—highlights this commitment. This research employs qualitative methods, including interviews and document analysis of journals, reports, media coverage, official websites, and other sources. The findings reveal that the Save Food Movement in Riau Province fosters collaboration among various entities, including the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), which established a Food Bank, and the Provincial Food and Horticulture Agency, appointed by Bappenas as the movement’s primary driver. Additionally, universities engage with local communities, acting as educational partners to mitigate food waste and promote energy conservation.

Towards sustainable cognitive digital twins: A portfolio management tool for waste mitigation

The rapid integration of Cognitive Digital Twins (CDTs) across various industries has revolutionized operational practices, leading to enhanced efficiency and improved decision-making capabilities. However, this technological advancement is accompanied by significant environmental implications, particularly regarding the management of electronic waste (e-waste) and digital waste. While e-waste primarily concerns the disposal of obsolete hardware, digital waste encompasses inefficiencies, redundancies, and unnecessary consumption of computational resources in the digital environment. This paper emphasizes the importance of understanding the lifecycle impacts of CDTs and advocates for the implementation of sustainable practices in their management. To address these challenges, we introduce Digital Twin Portfolio Management (DTPM) as a systematic framework for optimizing the CDT ecosystem. We also present the Digital Twin Triple Bottom Line as a framework for assessing the technical, economic, and environmental impacts of CDT implementations, ensuring that organizations can identify inefficiencies and align their operations with broader sustainability objectives. The findings elucidate the various types of waste generated by CDTs, establishing a critical link between digital asset management and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the study advocates for improved APM practices tailored to the unique challenges posed by CDTs, contributing valuable insights to the evolving discourse on IT portfolio management. Future research directions are also discussed, including the need for expanded case studies and longitudinal investigations to enhance the generalizability and understanding of CDT lifecycle management.

Multi-stakeholder Governance Toward Mitigating Marine Plastic Waste in Hoi An Coastal City, Vietnam

Background and objective: Marine plastic waste is a pressing environmental issue that requires coordinated efforts across various stakeholders to mitigate its impacts effectively. This research examines the multi-stakeholder governance approach towards reducing marine plastic waste in Hoi An coastal city, Vietnam. The study explores the roles and interactions of key stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, businessmen, scientists, and international agencies, in addressing marine plastic pollution.Methods: Through a combination of interviews, policy analysis, and field observations, this research identifies the challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainable waste management practices. A mixed-methods approach study was conducted and collected data from August 2022 to February 2023, June 2023 to September 2023 and July-August 2024. Two hundred and three random online survey samples were collected. Additionally, forty in-depth interviews were conducted with government officers, businesspeople, researchers, and international agency representatives and each interview lasted for about one hour. The research used both purposive and snowball sampling to maximise the breadth of actors’ perspectives.Results: The research found that effective mechanisms and collaborative governance among diverse stakeholders such as government officials, businesses, communities, international organizations, and scientists are crucial for significantly reducing marine plastic waste. It also underscores the importance of community engagement in preventing plastic waste from entering the ocean and highlights the role of market-driven forces in plastic waste mitigation. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the need to expand scientific and international support to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing marine plastic waste.Conclusion: This study offers insights into best practices and policy recommendations that can be applied to other coastal regions facing similar environmental challenges. By fostering a collective responsibility approach, Hoi An can serve as a model for other coastal cities in Vietnam and beyond in their efforts to combat marine plastic pollution.

Food waste mitigation practices and their barriers in Santiago, Chile’s higher education cafeterias and canteens

Food waste mitigation practices and their barriers in Santiago, Chile’s higher education cafeterias and canteens

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Plastic Waste Mitigation Strategies in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Plastic Waste Mitigation Strategies in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria

Prevention And Mitigation Of Oil Waste In Coastal Areas For Fishing Communities

Oil spills in coastal areas are a serious environmental issue that can cause damage to marine ecosystems, water pollution, and economic losses for fishing communities. This community service project aims to enhance fishermen's understanding of the negative impacts of oil spills and to provide practical skills and knowledge regarding oil waste management. The approach used includes training on the use of absorbent tools, binding chemicals, and localization technologies to handle oil spills. Additionally, the project introduces environmentally friendly technologies to reduce the risk of oil leaks or spills from fishing vessels. The project results indicate a significant increase in the knowledge and skills of the participating fishermen regarding oil waste management. Further discussion reveals the importance of implementing comprehensive coastal area management strategies to prevent and mitigate oil pollution. In conclusion, this project not only successfully achieved its goal of enhancing fishermen's capacity but also offers a replicable model for similar programs in other coastal areas. Therefore, active participation from fishing communities and continuous support from various stakeholders is essential for environmental sustainability and the well-being of coastal communities.

Developing power plant materials using the life cycle lens.

The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) environment will include magnetic, thermal, mechanical and environmental loads far greater than those seen in the Joint European Torus campaigns of the past decade or currently contemplated for ITER. Greater still are the neutron peak dose rates of 10-6 displacements per atom, per second, which in-vessel materials in STEP are anticipated to be exposed to. Reduced activation and high-fluence resilience therefore dominate the materials strategy to support the STEP Programme. The latter covers the full life cycle from downselected compositions and new microstructural developments to irradiation-informed modelling and end-of-life strategies. This article discusses how the materials downselection is oriented in plant power trade-off space, outlines the development of an advanced ferritic-martensitic structural steel, describes the 'Design by Fundamentals' mesoscale modelling approach and reports some of the waste mitigation routes intended to make STEP operations as sustainable as possible.This article is part of the theme issue 'Delivering Fusion Energy - The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)'.

Enhancement of concrete performance and sustainability through incorporation of diverse waste carpet fibres

Carpet fibres have demonstrated the potential to mitigate early-age cracking and improve tensile properties in concrete. However, a detailed analysis of the varied types of standard carpet fibres in reinforced concrete has been lacking. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the performance of concrete reinforced with widely used waste carpet fibres, namely Nylon, Polypropylene, Polytrimethylene terephthalate, and Polyester. The study employs fibres at 0.3 % and 0.5 % volume fractions with a 12 mm length. The research examines mechanical properties, shrinkage and cracking behaviour, pore structure, microstructure, and the ITZ. Results show that 0.3 % fibre volume yielded optimal performance based on GRA analysis. All fibre types reduced shrinkage compared to the control with no fibres. Nylon T1 at 0.3 % achieved a 22.3 % reduction at 90 days. Furthermore, fibre inclusion enhanced flexural and splitting tensile strengths up to 12 % and 39 % respectively due to fibre bridging, pore refinement, and reduced porosity. Notably, individual fibre mechanical properties influenced concrete performance significantly. Hydrophilic fibres exhibited a thinner 10 µm ITZ compared to 15 µm for hydrophobic fibres, contributing to denser interfacial regions and improved bonding. This study demonstrates the potential of carpet fibre-reinforced concrete as a sustainable solution, offering enhanced mechanical properties, shrinkage mitigation, and effective utilization of carpet waste, addressing critical issues in construction and waste management sectors.

Exploring Front-of-House and Back-of-House Manager Perceptions, Attitudes, and Motivations of Restaurant Food Waste Mitigation: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study explored and compared the perceptions, attitudes, and motivations towards restaurant food waste mitigation among front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) restaurant managers. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with FOH (n = 6) and BOH (n = 7) managers at restaurants in the southeast of the United States. The findings indicated that the participants were highly aware of restaurant food waste and its contribution to food waste; furthermore, they displayed negative sentiments towards it. Additionally, most participants’ awareness was heightened upon acquiring foodservice management positions. Cost reduction was found to be the primary motivation to reduce food waste among most participants; however, most BOH participants were highly motivated by an appreciation for and involvement with the food itself. Guided by the Upper Echelons Theory, the findings provide insight into the underlying cognitive base and values behind restaurant managers’ perceptions, attitudes, and motivations towards restaurant food waste mitigation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in detail.

Microbial Induced Biotechnological Processes for Biofuel Production from Waste Organics Conversion

In the current era there are huge quantities of waste organic matter available, creating a big burden to the environment. To address these issues, researchers started to apply effective and microbial induced biotechnological processes that can mitigate these waste matters. In this context, different nature of microbial systems are involved in hydrolysing the waste organic material into fermentable sugar. These can be easily consumed by specific microbial systems like Saccharomyces cerevisiae MTCC 3821 and Clostridium acetobutylicum that produced bioethanol and biobutanol, respectively. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cultured in specific media and incubated at rotary shaker with 150 rpm at 30°C for 72 to 96 hours. Ethanol concentrations from different waste matters were found in the range of 1.2-1.5 g.L-1. Ethanol synthesis was done by shake flask experiment with addition of glucose (50 g.L-1) to waste organic hydrolyzed solution. Non-glucose media produced less than 3 g.L-1 ethanol but glucose media produced 4.5 g.L-1. Next, Clostridium acetobutylicum was grown in culture media containing waste organics as sole carbon substrate with pH 7 and then was incubated in anaerobic conditions at 35°C for 72 hours, produced butanol (0.7 to 1.25 g.L-1). This research work promoted biofuels synthesis by keeping a waste mitigation strategy.

Tuning the textural properties of biomass-derived nanocrystallized BEA for acetyl functionalization of anisole

The synthesis of a highly active zeolite beta catalyst for acetyl functionalization of anisole by utilizing the silica precursor obtained from rice husk is a promising approach for the mitigation of agricultural waste. The influence of combustion temperature (CT) (300, 500, 700, and 900 °C) on the characteristics of rice husk ash was investigated. The C52H obtained at a medium CT (500 °C) has a high surface area compared to the C72H indicates that, merging of smaller crystals of amorphous silica to form crystalline silica with larger crystallites by applying more thermal energy when CT ≥ 700 °C. The PS-5 catalyst derived from C52H possess high surface area (332 m2/g) and a smaller crystallite size (14.8 nm) compared to the PS-7 obtained from C72H, which shown the lower surface area (131.5 m2/g) with a larger crystallite size (25.6 nm). Solid-state NMR and NH3-TPD analysis reveals that PS-5 catalyst possessing higher acidity compare to both PS and PS-7. The activity studies confirms that the PS-5 catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity (>98%) compared to PS (conventional) and PS-7 catalysts, making it a potential candidate for continuous production of aromatic ketones. acylation reactions.

Unlocking the potential of depleted dry batteries: A dual-purpose approach for waste mitigation and sustainable energy production

Electronic-waste (e-waste) poses a serious environmental challenge due to the increasing consumption and disposal of electronic devices. In the present work a novel method is proposed to repurpose e-waste and bio-waste into a single-chamber and mediator-less microbial fuel cells using dead, non-rechargeable D-type dry batteries. The carbonaceous material inside the dry batteries was replaced with kitchen waste sludge, which served as the substrate. The outer zinc casing was also reused as the anode and the carbon rod as the cathode. Treating the kitchen waste sludge with dilute nitric acid improved the performance of the microbial fuel cells by enhancing the biodegradability and conductivity of the substrate. The untreated microbial fuel cells produced a maximum power density of 15.0 mW/kg at a maximum current density of 50.0 mA/kg, while the treated microbial fuel cells achieved 67.0 mW/kg at 178.0 mA/kg. The main mechanism behind the working of the device is the combined action of galvanic and microbial processes, which synergistically generate electricity from e-waste and bio-waste. Moreover, when four treated microbial fuel cells were connected in series, a high open circuit voltage of 3.3 V was achieved. These microbial fuel cells stand out as eco-conscious and lightweight alternatives to conventional dry batteries, presenting an environmentally sustainable solution for waste management and clean energy production.

The interrelationship between Lean 4.0 and value co-creation: an empirical study in the dairy sector

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of Lean 4.0 practices on value co-creation in the dairy ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachData collection were carried out through a questionary application with 126 professionals linked to the dairy ecosystem, including milk producers, milk cooperatives and milk transporters. The data were analyzed using Cluster Analysis, Mann-Whitney test and Chi-Square test.FindingsA strong relation was found between the use of Lean 4.0 tools and the increase in operational performance, in addition to milk quality. Moreover, it can be noted that the use of digital technologies from Industry 4.0 has a strong relation with dairy production optimization, in other words, it is possible to be more efficient in the dairy process via Lean 4.0 adoption.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to analyzing the Brazilian dairy ecosystem. The results presented may not reflect the characteristics of the other countries.Practical implicationsOnce the potential empirical impacts of the relation between Lean 4.0 and value co-creation are elucidated, it is possible to direct strategies for decision-making and guide efforts by researchers and professionals to deal with the waste mitigation present in the dairy sector.Social implicationsLean 4.0 proves to be a potential solution to improve the operational performance of the dairy production system. Lean 4.0, linked to value co-creation, allows the integration of the production sector with consumers, through smart technologies, so new services and experiences can be provided to the consumer market. Additionally, the consumer experience can be stimulated based on Lean 4.0, once the quality specification is highlighted based on data science and smart management control.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that analyzes the interrelationship between the Lean 4.0 philosophy and the value co-creation in the dairy ecosystem. In this sense, the study reveals the main contributions of this interrelation to the dairy sector via value co-creation, which demonstrates a new perspective on the complementarity of resources, elimination of process losses and new experiences for the user through digital technologies integrated with the Lean Thinking approach.

Visible-light driven photodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using BiOCl–ZrO2 nanocomposite: A sustainable strategy for mitigating plastic pollution

This study aims to reduce plastic pollution by decomposing low-density polyethylene (LDPE) through an environmentally friendly approach using a novel BiOCl–ZrO2 nanocomposite under visible-light irradiation at room temperature. Visible-light irradiation is a form of clean energy, so we explored the feasibility and prospective solution for plastic waste mitigation by utilizing visible-light to attain sustainable development goal 7 (SDG 7). To fabricate photodegradable LDPE, it was blended with BiOCl nanoparticles (NPs) and its nanocomposite (BiOCl–ZrO2) separately via a facile solution casting method. The fabricated samples were assessed for the degradation of LDPE before and after 24 days of visible-light irradiation at room temperature. The prepared nanocomposites were thoroughly characterized by different analytical techniques, including XRD, FT–IR, XPS, FE–SEM, TGA, BET and UV–Vis DRS. The successful photodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using a BiOCl–ZrO2 nanocomposite is supported by the presence of a higher carbonyl index, as evidenced by FT–IR analysis. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM) analysis unveiled numerous perforations and prominent coarse morphological attributes, suggesting significant decomposition and disintegration of the LDPE film across the active surface sites of BiOCl–ZrO2. The weight reduction of LDPE@BiOCl–ZrO2 (600 ˚C) (10 wt%) composite film reached 48.67% under visible-light irradiation for 24 days at room temperature. The degradation rate exhibited significant sensitivity to variations in the concentration of the BiOCl–ZrO2 nanocomposite within the LDPE film. Investigation of the photodegradation mechanism suggested the formation of a type–II heterojunction–based photocatalytic system. The relatively low bandgap energy of ZrO2 (3.1 eV), facilitates the rapid migration of conduction band electrons to the conduction band of BiOCl. This migration process is facilitated by the favourable energy level alignment between the conduction bands of ZrO2 and BiOCl, enabling efficient electron transfer between the two materials. The large band gap of BiOCl (3.56 eV) permits the movement of valence band holes to the ZrO2 valance band. The spontaneous circulation of charge carriers within the heterostructure crystal maintains the charge separation and defers the recombination rate for an extended period. The photodegraded LDPE fragments are biodegradable and help to reduce plastic pollution. The environmental friendliness of the BiOCl–ZrO2 nanocomposite-assisted plastic waste remediation process was investigated using carbon footprint measurement. A tentative estimation suggested that the remediation process of 100 Kg of plastic waste may contribute to around 0.133 tons of carbon footprint.

How to encourage food waste reduction in kitchen brigades: The underlying role of ‘green’ transformational leadership and employees' self-efficacy

Although significant amounts of food are wasted in professional kitchens, research on food waste behaviour among kitchen employees is limited. This study plugs this knowledge gap by examining the determinants of food waste reduction among members of kitchen brigades. The survey (n = 208) results collected in Poland and analysed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) demonstrate the importance of such external/organisational i.e., green transformational leadership and supervisory support, and internal/personal i.e., self-efficacy and attitudes towards food waste reduction, factors in encouraging food waste management by kitchen staff. The results also show that green organisational climate does not influence innovative and collaborative food waste behaviour of kitchen employees, but their self-efficacy and supervisory support do. The study's results suggest that, to manage food waste in professional kitchens more effectively, hospitality organisations should (1) embed the goal of food waste mitigation in organisational values; (2) empower supervisors to encourage food waste reduction among staff; and (3) facilitate pro-environmental innovation and collaboration among kitchen employees.

Characteristics, fate, and sources of microplastics contaminant in surface water and sediments of river water

Although developing countries are huge producers of plastic debris, few studies on MPs in freshwater systems, a major contributor to oceans, have been done. In this investigation, we estimated the abundance, shape, size, and potential sources of MPs in river water and sediments taken from the freshwater of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers in Jamshedpur. Four types of MPs were identified among the analyzed data: fragments, films, foams, and fibers. These MPs were examined using a stereomicroscope and their polymer composition was identified using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The quantitative assessment of our study revealed a mean abundance of MPs 9.55 ± 4.87 items/L (average ± SD, n = 9) in water and 270.88 ± 105.89 items/kg (average ± SD, n = 9) in sediment samples. The morphological distribution of MP particles revealed that fibers account of 44.2 % of MPs particles, followed by film (24.4 %), fragments (20.9 %), and pellets/foam (10.5 %) in water. Fiber accounts 48.3 % of total MPs shape followed by fragments (20.6 %), foam/pellets (16.4 %) and film (14.7 %) in sediments. According to the MP size distribution, 84.9 % of the MPs were between <125 μm and 1000 μm in water, while 94.0 % of the particles were between 125 μm and 5000 μm. The black color MPs accounted for 27. 0 % in water and 20.0 % in sediments, followed by blue (24.0 %), and white (19.0 %) in water and sediments, respectively. The most abundant polymer composition found was 30.0 % and 28.2 % of polyester in water and sediment samples respectively, which was followed by polypropylene 37.7 %, polyvinyl chloride 36.2 %, polyethylene 29.7 %, polystyrene 25.1 %, and polyamide 13.1 % in water and sediments. To reduce microplastic pollution, focus on mitigation of plastic waste, improving waste management, and implementing practical solutions.

The adoption of automation technology for the mitigation of material waste on construction sites in the Malaysian construction industry

The construction business has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, and this trend has only accelerated in recent years as one of the important contexts among the other numerous new technologies. The current study aims to examine the relationship between Automation Technology Adoptions (ATA) and Construction Site Performance (CSP) and their influence on material waste mitigation measures in Johor construction sites. Data was gathered utilizing an online survey method, with the participants from the Johor construction industries representing contractors and experts. A total of 257 responses were valid to investigate the assumptions of the validations, and ‘Partial Lease Square - Structural Equation Modeling’ (PLS-SEM) procedure has been used. The adopted model may be used to help construction site managers and workers understand the importance of the ATA, CSP, and their utilization as material waste management approaches. The obtained results emphasize the relevance of automation technology adoption for mitigating construction material waste in construction sites with such a clear significance and clarity under the use of automation in construction sites. These findings will assist construction professionals to manage their materials on the job site and complete their projects.