MNE Opportunities to Lead Global Sustainable Development through Food Waste Recycling

Abstract

Food waste is a global problem. When discarded into landfills through traditional municipal solid waste disposal, food waste is costly, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and highlights disparities of food insecurity. Government and retail campaigns overwhelmingly target consumers as responsible actors for tackling food waste through prevention, reduction, and recovery activities. Multinational enterprises (MNEs), however, play significant roles in contributing to global food waste and therefore must also face responsibility for contributing to sustainable solutions. The organizational management of food waste through recycling strategies confronts multiple United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) with economic, environmental, and social implications.