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“Feeding bellies not bins” - closing the loop in the food systems to reduce food waste in UK

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posted on 2023-06-09, 17:53 authored by Maria Ariza, Shova Thapa KarkiShova Thapa Karki
Food waste is a prevalent issue, posing a significant societal, economic, nutritional and environmental challenge. Increasing demand for food, growing population and high rates of food waste across the food system calls for innovative sustainable solutions. Researchers have emphasised on the role of circular economy in reducing food waste and contributing to sustainable food systems. However, there is a lack of evidence on the role of circular economy in reducing food waste. The aim of this research is to fill this gap and explore how the circular economy approach can minimise the problem of food waste in the case study of the UK. This research focused on the end of the food supply chain, retail and final consumption. It explored six case studies including two social initiatives and four businesses. The diverse cases provided a better understanding of wider issues in implementing a circular economy to reduce food waste as well as the role of different actors in reducing food waste. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews (founders, employee, and experts), and secondary materials (company reports and website materials). Thematic analysis, using coding and themes identification, guided the analysis of the interviews and secondary materials. Among the six case studies, four cases have adopted circular economy practices, such as circular supplies and resource recovery. Facilitating factors for adopting the circular economy included close partnerships and collaborations between all actors. Two of the main barriers to implementing the circular economy approach identified from the cases were regulations and consumer’s attitudes. Findings showed that the circular economy could play an important role in minimising food waste. This requires collaboration, change and transformation from multiple stakeholders, such as government revising their policies, social initiatives educating and involving communities, SMEs and start-ups playing a key role in adopting CE practices in their business, and retailers adopting strategies to reducing edible food waste.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Presentation Type

  • paper

Event name

Circular Economy Disruptions – Past, Present and Future : An Academic Symposium

Event location

Exeter, UK

Event type

conference

Event date

June 17 - 19th 2018

Department affiliated with

  • Strategy and Marketing Publications

Notes

Hosted by Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Pioneer University Network

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-05-30

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