Bioeconomy Adaptation to Climate Change: A Case Study of Food Waste in Slovakia

Abstract

Climate change, periods of droughts or, conversely, increased rainfall significantly affect agronomic patterns and biomass production. In addition, if agriculture and food industry compete with other industries for land and biomass, the priority is given to agro-food use and ensuring food security. This is the main reason why food waste is a promising alternative source of biomass for the industrial segment of the bioeconomy. Moreover, the reuse of food waste leads to circular and sustainable value chains. The aim of this paper is to explore the situation of food waste utilization in Slovakia. We assess the current level of food waste produced by households and its potential as a biomass source. However, to convert food waste into a valid industrial input, it has to be collected separately. The study shows the practice of food waste collection in two Slovak cities, where food waste is used to produce soil substrate and bioelectricity, respectively.