How do you use circular economy and life cycle assessment to manage food waste sustainability?

1 Circular economy

A circular economy is a system that aims to eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. It is based on three principles: design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. A circular economy for food waste means that you avoid generating food waste as much as possible, and if you do, you find ways to reuse or recycle it into new products, such as compost, biogas, animal feed, or packaging. A circular economy for food waste can help you save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

2 Life cycle assessment

A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method that evaluates the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. It can help you identify the hotspots of environmental impacts, such as energy use, water consumption, land use, or emissions, and compare different options for improvement. An LCA for food waste can help you measure the environmental benefits of reducing, reusing, or recycling food waste, and inform your decisions on how to manage it sustainably. An LCA for food waste can also help you communicate your environmental performance to your customers, stakeholders, or regulators.

3 How to reduce food waste

The first step to manage food waste sustainability is to reduce the amount of food waste that you generate. This can be done by planning your meals, shopping smartly, storing food properly, and using up leftovers. You can also donate excess food to food banks or charities, or share it with your neighbors or friends. Reducing food waste can help you save money, reduce your environmental footprint, and support social causes.

4 How to reuse food waste

The second step to manage food waste sustainability is to reuse food waste that is still edible or useful. This can be done by transforming food scraps into new dishes, such as soups, salads, or casseroles, or using them as ingredients for other products, such as bread, vinegar, or jams. You can also use food waste as animal feed, if you have pets or livestock, or as a source of natural fertilizers, such as worm compost or liquid feed. Reusing food waste can help you reduce waste disposal costs, create new value from waste, and enhance your soil quality and plant growth.

6 How to monitor and improve your food waste management

The final step to manage food waste sustainability is to monitor and improve your food waste management practices. This can be done by measuring the amount and type of food waste that you generate, reduce, reuse, or recycle, and by using LCA tools to assess the environmental impacts of your actions. You can also set goals and targets for reducing your food waste, and track your progress and performance. Monitoring and improving your food waste management can help you identify gaps and opportunities, optimize your resources and efficiency, and demonstrate your commitment and responsibility.