Waste Prevention Research Articles

Food Loss and Waste Actions: Experiences of the Costa Rican Food Loss and Waste Reduction Network.

Food Loss and Waste (FLW) reduction and prevention can be crucial entry points to achieve sustainable food systems. However, the complexity of this problem poses the need for multistakeholder and multidimensional approaches. The Costa Rican FLW Reduction Network has been working since 2014 as a collaborative platform that brings together different sectors and disciplines to promote a change through communication and awareness, alliances, and research and innovation. The purpose of our study was to share the experience of Costa Rica in regards to the applied FLW actions and its catalytic effect on FLW innovation. The study was developed through a multimethod approach that included case studies, stakeholder analysis and literacy analysis to provide an overall assessment of the strategy as input for further efforts in this matter. The main findings indicate that collaborative actions among institutions and sectors are vital in promoting FLW reduction; however, FLW innovation is still at an inception phase where financial resources and policy barriers remain as aspects to address. In conclusion, the Costa Rica FLW Network represents an asset to trigger ongoing and future actions, and approaches like an integrated innovation ecosystem must be promoted.

Values Not Our Own: Interrogating Psychosocial Suitability in the Transplant Social Work Assessment.

A primary role of social workers in North American transplant programs is to assess potential organ recipients’ psychosocial suitability for a life-saving transplantation (Sas, 2019). In a context of organ scarcity, the social work assessment is part of a larger multidisciplinary evaluation that aims to prevent waste (Gordon, 2000). Neglected in this focus on waste prevention is social work’s professional mandate for social justice. Although a biomedical perspective presents organ allocation as an objective, pragmatic, and fair decision-making process, transplantation is laden with Western values of personal responsibility and efficiency, which, in practice, conflict with social work’s values of fair and equitable treatment and access to resources, including life-saving organs. In this column, I critically reflect on social work assessments for determining psychosocial suitability for transplant, illustrating how the values for personal responsibility and efficiency individualize systemic health inequities and constrain our practice. Given our professional...

The legal regulation of food waste in Poland and Lithuania in compliance with EU directive 2018/851

Food waste is a global problem, one that has moved up the public and political agenda in recent years. Food is at the core of the United Nations’ (UN) ‘Sustainable Development Goals’. Food waste prevention is also highlighted as a priority area in the ‘2015 Circular Economy Package’. Food waste is an important indicator of sustainability because it embodies the sum of resources being used to produce uneaten food, and food waste disposal has an environmental, economic, and social impact. Directive 2018/851 established amendments to the food waste regulatory regime, including the definition of a food waste category and general provisions, which were related to food waste, providing a strong emphasis on waste prevention and the reporting of data in connection with food waste. New EU food waste rules should be implemented at the national level. Comparative research is needed for identifying any potential implementation problems. Such research will be carried out using case studies of Poland and Lithuania.

Consumers’ perceptions and behavior toward food waste across countries

Food waste has become a global issue that has received increased attention. Food waste at the household level is a major source of food loss in developed countries. While culture is an important factor shaping people’s behavior, comparison of food waste behaviors across countries and regions are still limited. This study uses primary data covering the US, Canada, the UK, and France to understand and compare consumers’ food waste behaviors. While we found some common drivers for food waste behavior appliable to all countries, such as age, eating away from home, and using expiration dates, we confirmed that consumers behave significantly different across countries. For example, personal factors such as employment status, household size, and environmental concerns are only found significant in certain countries. Similarly, while convenience-driven consumers tend to waste more across countries, only European consumers who are price and advertising conscious tend to increase their food waste frequency. Moreover, many well-known food waste prevention actions, such as making a shopping list, preserving and freezing food, and being willing to consume leftovers, only appear to work in certain countries.

The role of social media in food waste prevention behaviour

PurposeThis research aims to investigate consumers' food waste prevention behaviour through the lens of an extended theory of planned behaviour. The extension includes the examination of the role of social media usage in affecting consumers' decision-making process of food waste prevention behaviour.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire is developed based on measurement items of previously validated studies. 210 samples are collected and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results show that social media usage has a significant influence on attitude and injunctive norms. In addition, intention can be predicted by injunctive norms, moral norms and perceived behavioural control but not attitude. Lastly, the intention to reduce food waste is a significant predictor of food waste prevention behaviour.Originality/valueOverall, the extended theory of planned behaviour is useful in explaining consumers' food waste prevention behaviour. Interestingly, this study reveals that a negative attitude towards food waste behaviour does not translate into the intention to engage in food waste prevention behaviour. Furthermore, it is found that social media usage plays a significant in shaping consumers' attitudes towards food waste and injunctive norms.

Amanah Metaphor in Medical Waste Prevention Effects Environmental Cost Accounting

This study aims to determine the application of environmental cost accounting in Islamic Hospitals which is framed in the concept of the metaphor of Amanah as an effort to prevent medical waste that can damage the environment. The object of this research is the Faisal Islamic Hospital in Makassar. This study is qualitative approach with a case study approach. The results showed that Faisal Islamic Hospital has maintained and maintained the environment in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SPO). Faisal Islamic Hospital has implemented environmental cost accounting which includes identification, recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure. The policies implemented by the hospital are a form of vertical accountability to Allah swt and horizontal accountability to humans and the environment. The theoretical and practical benefits of this research are as material for further research that can be developed by their respective ideas and creativity and can be used as material for hospital considerations regarding the application of Environmental Cost Accounting as a form of social responsibility towards the environment, especially in terms of hospital waste management.

Waste management in urban environments: Insights of the citizens’ views in a densely populated municipality in Greece

<p>Urbanization, industrialization and economic growth have considerable challenged the orientation of waste management policies and practices. Intrinsically, major concerns appear in urban environments, as they receive increased volumes of waste, which in turn pose threats for the environment and public health. Prioritization of waste prevention is proven to be the optimal solution in preserving resources and coincide with international sublime strategies for sustainable waste management. However, the citizens’ awareness and active involvement, in decision making for sustainable waste management policies practices, are preconditions for their implementation. The study examined the citizens’ views on the local waste management policies and strategies in the urban environment of Neapolis-Sykies Greece. The application of factor analysis, hierarchical log-linear analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis provided important correlations regarding the citizens’ demographic characteristics, littering behavior, sources of information on waste management issues, perceptions about quality of life and provided cleanliness services. In particular, collection points and collection system are positively assessed, while the value of recycling is widely acknowledged. Albeit, the citizens are not properly informed about local policies and practices related to existing waste management issues in their municipality. Unfortunately, this is deemed to be a barrier in promoting public participation in decision making processes.</p>

The Marketing Strategy of Waste-Processed Craft Product in Pontianak City

Pontianak city produced 400 tons of waste every day. The prevention of waste had been done in various ways; one of them was the utilization of waste by 8 waste banks to be used as craft products with an economic value. The aim of the research was to formulate alternative priority marketing strategies for processed waste craft products in Pontianak. The research method that used was descriptive qualitative methods, surveys and interviews with key informants to obtain SWOT criteria and alternative strategies. This research used primary and secondary data, primary data obtained from interviews and surveys that included waste banks data and respondent data, secondary data included waste production in Pontianak City, waste banks in Pontianak City. The data analysis used the combination of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats (SWOT). The research results showed that the alternative priority for the marketing strategy of processed waste products was the strategy to improve Human Resources (0.462), such as product innovation, conducted comparative study with UKM (small-medium enterprises), made observations of products that people were interest in; information and technology improvement strategies (0.403), such as recruited and trained employees to understand information technology; institutional improvement strategies (0.135), such as upgraded and focused group discussions in the Waste Bank Forum, managed the requirements for marketing in supermarkets

A Novel to Method to Measure Food Waste: The Mobile Food Record

The mobile food record™ (mFR™) is a novel app that allows for the tracking of individual food waste and addresses the limitations of current methods to accurately quantify food waste. Extension educators may use data from the mFR™ to create educational initiatives for food waste prevention and education that may be implemented in settings such as schools and universities. The mFR is an innovative application that simplifies the process of collecting food-based data and accurately quantifying food waste for use in Extension.

Assessment of household food waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia: a cross-sectional online survey.

The Serbian government has taken several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures may have led to a disruption of daily life and affected food-related behaviors. This paper investigates the state of food waste management in Serbia and COVID-19’s direct effect on consumer awareness, food consumption, and food waste behaviors. The study is based on an online survey using a structured questionnaire administered in Serbian from May 13 until June 13, 2020, through the Google forms platform. A total of 1212 valid answers were collected, mainly from female, young, and high-educated people. The survey results suggested that (i) household food waste in Serbia is low and there is a positive attitude toward food waste prevention; (ii) food waste increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) consumers reduced the number of shopping trips and shopped more than usual during the pandemic. This study contributes to a better understanding of consumers’ consumption habits and attitudes toward food waste to prevent and reduce it.

Minimising plate waste at hotel breakfast buffets: an experimental approach through persuasive messages

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how hotel guests can be nudged for more active engagement in hospitality plate waste prevention and moderation at buffets, through designing effective persuasive interventions. Plate waste is a main sustainability challenge, and it is considered one of the major drivers of food waste in the hospitality sector, whose operations generate excessive amounts of waste. The hospitality industry, featured by all-you-can-eat buffet-style settings, is somehow encouraging consumers to increase the amount of food ordered or taken and not been eaten.Design/methodology/approachThis study reports a field experiment conducted in a real hotel setting, where persuasive interventions were targeted to consumers at the croissants buffet, when guests were making their selections. The research tests the persuasiveness of functional and experiential appeal messages to nudge hotel guests towards a more active engagement in avoiding plate waste. Each single treatment was carried out for three weeks in varying sequence.FindingsThe findings are based on 63 rounds of data collections and show the superiority of experiential appeal messages in positively influencing guests’ behaviour. This implies that appropriate messages can persuade tourists to avoid plate waste in buffet-style settings, especially if these messages are grounded in participatory cues with an emphasis on altruistic values.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies that empirically tests the effectiveness of different persuasive interventions in a real consumption setting, thus measuring actual behaviours which have been rarely studied. This study further contributes to the identification of concrete communication tools that can help to mitigate plate waste generation.

Incentivizing household recycling crowds out public support for other waste management policies: A long-term quasi-experimental study

Waste management is a prototypical issue that requires multiple policy measures to function together. Yet, the compatibility between waste management policies is vastly understudied. In this paper, we used a longitudinal quasi-experimental methodology to identify the effect of an incentivized household recycling program in Anji, China on public support for other waste management policies. The program was evaluated six and fifteen months after it was implemented, respectively. We found that, despite its positive influence on residents’ self-reported recycling behavior, the program reduced support for policy measures concerning waste prevention and harmless disposal. Consistent with the theoretical propositions, such crowding-out was driven by the decrease in personal commitment to pro-environmental goals, perceived issue importance of environmental sustainability, and perceived importance of individual contribution to environmental goods. Further evidence suggests that the crowding-out effect attenuated but did not disappear in the long run. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the holistic relationships between waste management policies, indicating that incentive-based recycling policies can interact negatively with other waste policies by reducing public support for them.

A Framework and Baseline for the Integration of a Sustainable Circular Economy in Offshore Wind

Circular economy and renewable energy infrastructure such as offshore wind farms are often assumed to be developed in synergy as part of sustainable transitions. Offshore wind is among the preferred technologies for low-carbon energy. Deployment is forecast to accelerate over ten times faster than onshore wind between 2021 and 2025, while the first generation of offshore wind turbines is about to be decommissioned. However, the growing scale of offshore wind brings new sustainability challenges. Many of the challenges are circular economy-related, such as increasing resource exploitation and competition and underdeveloped end-of-use solutions for decommissioned components and materials. However, circular economy is not yet commonly and systematically applied to offshore wind. Circular economy is a whole system approach aiming to make better use of products, components and materials throughout their consecutive lifecycles. The purpose of this study is to enable the integration of a sustainable circular economy into the design, development, operation and end-of-use management of offshore wind infrastructure. This will require a holistic overview of potential circular economy strategies that apply to offshore wind, because focus on no, or a subset of, circular solutions would open the sector to the risk of unintended consequences, such as replacing carbon impacts with water pollution, and short-term private cost savings with long-term bills for taxpayers. This study starts with a systematic review of circular economy and wind literature as a basis for the coproduction of a framework to embed a sustainable circular economy throughout the lifecycle of offshore wind energy infrastructure, resulting in eighteen strategies: design for circular economy, data and information, recertification, dematerialisation, waste prevention, modularisation, maintenance and repair, reuse and repurpose, refurbish and remanufacturing, lifetime extension, repowering, decommissioning, site recovery, disassembly, recycling, energy recovery, landfill and re-mining. An initial baseline review for each strategy is included. The application and transferability of the framework to other energy sectors, such as oil and gas and onshore wind, are discussed. This article concludes with an agenda for research and innovation and actions to take by industry and government.

Evaluating the Waste Prevention Potential of a Multi- versus Single-Use Surgical Stapler.

PurposeWithin the hospital, surgery is recognized as a resource-intensive activity that disproportionately generates large volumes of healthcare waste. Single-use, disposable medical supplies contribute substantially to this problem, and more broadly to the depletion of scarce resources. Given that many surgical procedures utilize surgical stapling techniques, this study uses surgical stapling systems as functional units for evaluating the waste prevention potential of switching from single-use systems (SUSs) to multi-use systems (MUSs).Materials and MethodsTwo frequently used surgical stapling systems, Ethicon’s SUS: ECHELON FLEX™ and Medtronic’s MUS: Signia™ Stapling Technology, were mechanically deconstructed to their individual raw material components to calculate the composition of each system. Total waste as well as extended resource use (the total material requirement [TMR]) were then calculated for three different surgical procedures; laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy. The differences in outcomes for SUSs versus MUSs were then calculated.ResultsFor each surgical procedure considered, switching from a SUS to a MUS led to a reduction in total waste accumulated per procedure and TMR. Reductions in waste were 40% (sleeve gastrectomy), 70% (gastric bypass), and 62% (VATS lobectomy). The TMR reductions were higher, at 92% (sleeve gastrectomy), 96% (gastric bypass), and 95% (VATS lobectomy). Both waste and TMR reduction were realized with the MUS system as long as the reusable parts were used more than four times. This was true for all analyzed surgical procedures.ConclusionSwitching from a SUS to MUS facilitates a reduction in total surgical waste and TMR for sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and VATS lobectomy surgical procedures.

Consideration of Complexity in the Management of Construction and Demolition Waste Flow in French Regions: An Agent-Based Computational Economics Approach

For each region of France, there is currently a program to implement a plan for regional prevention and management of construction and demolition waste (CDW) used in the buildings and public works (e.g., roads) sector, also called the BTP (from the French Bâtiment et Travaux Publics) sector. To implement such a plan, its complexity must be considered; i.e., account (a) for how different scales are endogenously connected and (b) for decision-making rules at each scale being introduced. However, this complexity has rarely been taken into account in the literature. Using the PACA region as a case-study, this paper presents the first results of modelling that determines a hypotheses for the geographic distribution of the road renovation rate in each municipality (microscale) and Department (mesoscale) in a region of France. Such a renovation requires recycled aggregates (gravel) and asphalt supplies simultaneously. To consider this endogenous connection between scales, the model at the micro-scale must also be calibrated so the simulated values emerging at a higher-scale approach a supply–demand balance. We also discuss the transposition of the model to another French region (Ile-de-France). The method we used is the Agent-based Computational Economics (ACE) modelling approach. In addition, the coherent interplay between scales is determined by an approach called pattern-oriented modelling (POM). Our research revealed, at a thematic level, that for a circular economy to develop, the network of facilities in the territory is very important, and effective commercialization of secondary resources is major in the areas that group together recycling platforms and nearby asphalt plants. At a methodological level, our research revealed that in any multi-level modelling exercise, POM can be seen as an essential approach to accompany the ACE approach, particularly for a macroeconomic (here macro = regional) looping of a model designed at a microscale. However, convincing the BTP sector to integrate ACE/POM as a full part of a methodological support for regional prevention and management of CDW remains a challenge

Recommendation of Good Practice in the Food-Processing Industry for Preventing and Handling Food Loss and Waste

Food-processing companies are controlled by societal influences and economic interests, but their efforts with regard to reducing food loss and waste are very different. This qualitative study aims to identify basic recommendations of good practice for the food-processing industry in order to prevent and handle food loss and waste. For this purpose, a comprehensive literature review was conducted in the field of food waste prevention and data was collected from thirteen German companies. The findings summarize the recommendations of good practice, which cover the entire supply chain from supplier to consumer and beyond. The analysis showed that the participating companies are already partially aware of operational measures, even if they are applied or mentioned without a systematic approach. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that most activities relate to internal matters, like processing, employees and utilization. However, the responsibility of food-processing companies does not end with internal processes to reduce food waste. The results show that some companies are already aware of their responsibility to be involved along the entire supply chain. Finally, the results show that the needs of consumers and suppliers must also be considered in order to reduce food waste, in addition to direct reduction measures. This paper highlights nine important stages and 53 basic recommendations for companies to address food loss and waste in order to improve their practices.

Food waste management in chain-affiliated and independent consumers' places: A preliminary and exploratory study

Past research on food waste in foodservices has focused on restaurants in general and failed to examine how/if the ownership model of a restaurant business correlates with the approaches to food waste management adopted in-house. This study employs the qualitative research methods to explore how the challenge of food waste is managed in (inter)national chain-affiliated and (local) independent restaurants. The study finds that chain-affiliated businesses routinely measure food waste and have developed consistent measures to prevent and mitigate its occurrence. In contrast, independent restaurants, particularly those specializing in ethnic cuisine, take no measurements of food waste and manage it on an ad-hoc basis. (Inter)national strategies on food waste prevention and mitigation in restaurants should therefore focus on independent foodservice operators as this is where the largest reduction potential rests. This study offers preliminary insights on the role of various stakeholders within the broader food system whose engagement is critical for effective food waste prevention and mitigation in restaurants.

How circular design can contribute to social sustainability and legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™? The case of innovative shipping container stadium

The circular economy proposes a paradigm shift from the ‘take-make-waste’ type of economic system and aims to foster innovation, resource efficiency, and waste prevention. Mega sporting events can be considered great opportunities to promote sustainable cities and communities and leave a lasting positive legacy after the post-game stage. Qatar will organize the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2022 and Ras Abu Aboud (RAA) is designed as a fully reusable and modular shipping container stadium, which will be dismantled, relocated, and reused after the tournament. This study aims to present the first comprehensive analysis on the social sustainability and legacy aspects of a circular and sharing economy application for the FIFA World Cup organization. The research analyzes the entire life cycle phases of the RAA stadium including the raw material production, construction, operations, and end-of-life. The Ecoinvent v.3.7.1 is used to quantify the midpoint environmental and endpoint human health impacts. For its operation phase assessment, two operation scenarios are comparatively analyzed: one-year temporary operation (Scenario 1) and 50 years of permanent operation (Scenario 2). Later, a simulation-based sensitivity analysis is conducted. Finally, we discussed how circular and modular design thinking can bring long-lasting legacy post-event, through reuse and recycling from a socio-economic perspective. An important finding shows that circular design under Scenario 1 can save up to 60% of human health impacts and significantly reduce the material footprint and dependence on imported construction materials. This research will enhance future awareness for sustainability benefits of circular and sharing economy application adopted by mega sporting events concerning the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and FIFA's post-game legacy and sustainability strategies.

Prevention of food waste and alternative destinations for unused food in Brazil

Food loss and waste (FLW) result in significant social, economic, and environmental costs. Although FLW occurs at different levels of food supply chains, retailers can play a key role in the fight against this issue. Food loss (FL) is a decrease in the quantity or quality of food resulting from decisions and actions by food suppliers in the chain, while food waste (FW) refers to the result of decisions and actions by retailers, food service providers, and consumers. Various public policies aimed at fighting FLW and determining alternative destinations for unused food have been implemented around the world. Brazil has established the National Policy on Solid Waste and passed legislation addressing the fight against hunger. These measures have made retailers seek ways to minimize FW and find destination alternatives. This paper introduces the description of an FW in retail supermarkets and strategies for the prevention of FW and alternative destination for unused food that have been adopted (or can be adopted) in Brazil. This is a multi-case study, with data collected through bibliographic and document research and interviews with managers. The results showed that the food categories with greater perishability (fruits, vegetables, butchery, and bakery) also have a higher percentage of loss. The main reasons for these losses were operational breakdowns (management failures) and internal and external theft. A greater number of prevention strategies were observed in regional networks compared to local and independent companies. For all cases, the sale of recyclable goods and proper disposal in landfills were pointed out as the main strategies for alternative destinations of unused food.

Waste prevention by consumers' product redistribution: Perceived value, waste minimization attitude and redistribution behavior.

Waste prevention is the most effective way to reduce waste as it often occurs before products or materials are identified or recognized as waste. However, the topic of waste prevention has been overlooked by academics, policy makers and managers. Addressing this gap, this paper studies waste prevention with a focus on product redistribution behavior, whereby consumers move unwanted but still functioning products to others either by reselling, passing along or donating, all of which extend the product lifetime and prevent waste effectively. Based on a self-reported survey of 245 mobile phone users and 277 sunglasses wearers, this study finds that: (1) Functional value of mobile phone, but emotional value of sunglasses, derived from the current product is positively related to redistribution behavior; (2) Although the total impact of social value on product redistribution behavior is insignificant, social value has a positive direct impact on product redistribution behavior; as well as a negative indirect impact on it via waste minimization attitude; (3) Product-self consistency moderates the indirect negative impact of social value on product redistribution behavior. This study complements and advances extant research on waste prevention from the perspective of product attributes and value perception, and offers implications for businesses to design high value perceived products and prevent premature waste of useful products by facilitating redistribution channels; and for policy makers to cultivate waste minimization attitude of the public and shape consumer behavior to reduce waste at source.