Food Waste Management (Sector) in a Circular Economy

Abstract

The presentations addressed the topic of food waste management in a circular economy from various angles. Understanding the amount of food waste generated and setting measures to prevent it should be the starting point. Any not prevented food waste should be valorised aiming at a positive triple bottom line (social, economic and environmental). The huge environmental and economic potential of co-digestion of dairy manure and food wastes by linking waste producers with costumers for derived products was demonstrated for the US. Further the link between bio-waste, compost and soil quality is highlighted which contributes to food security and the wider bio-economy. Looking forward research into the application of selected agri-food wastes to produce alternative sources of protein could result in more sustainable source of proteins able to compete with industrial chicken production. Overall, the presentations and discussions showed the multi-facetted nature of food waste management emphasising that a range of measures by many stakeholders are required to move towards a circular economy society.