1,721,046 research outputs found
Food waste valorization options: opportunities from the bioeconomy.
No full textThe world is confronted with the depletion
of natural resources due to their unsustainable use,
increased global competiveness, increasing population
and other environmental and economic challenges.
Under the European 2020 growth strategy launched in
2010, Europe has set itself the goal of shifting from linear
to circular models of production and consumption. In this
context, food waste management poses a great challenge.
This study focusses on the possible destinations for food
waste, specifically, on the most sustainable practices that
turn waste into valuable resources. Particular attention
is devoted to the potential offered by fast-growing
sectors such as the bioeconomy, which is contributing to
increased energy and materials production with reduced
environmental impact, at the same time creating new job
opportunities. In this paper we will argue that an holistic
approach considering the issue of food wastage as part of
a broader emerging bio-economy and circular-economic
model, might provide win-win solutions able to minimize
wastage, promote income growth and job creation, and
prompt sustainable local development. However, in
order to enable an effective transition to a circular bioeconomy able to minimize the impact of food wastage,
the economic, social, and environmental sustainability
of this new model must be properly evaluated through
appropriate tools, e.g. through an overall Life Cycle
Sustainability Assessment (LCSA)
Food waste and social acceptance of a circular bioeconomy: the role of stakeholders.
No full textTo be socially accepted widely, the emerging circular bioeconomy needs to rely increasingly on residual bio-based feedstock and waste, hence reducing its dependency on crops which are in competition with agriculture/food markets. Food waste represents a valuable option as it allows for the production of a wide range of bio-based products ranging from biofuels to bioplastics. First successful experiences have shown that the involvement of stakeholders with different behaviours, values and backgrounds is a key enabler of the process. In particular, it acts as a key precondition for an increase in the social acceptability of the facilities by informing citizens and civil society organizations and, at the same time, it improves the feedstosck availability by increasing coordination between actors dealing with waste management
La bioeconomia in Italia: sfide per la politica industriale ed opportunità di sviluppo per il Mezzogiorno.
No full textMany European countries are moving from linear to circular economic models. In this respect, Italy has proved to be very active by developing a thriving bioeconomy sector thanks to the dynamism of its private sector, trade associations, technological clusters and non-profit organizations. Indeed, until the launch in 2016 of the national strategy on bio-economy (in Consultation Draft version), Italy was lacking a structured vision on the bioeconomy. However, various institutional actors supported in various ways the development of the Italian green chemistry. This was achieved through the implementation of effective market push policies, that could now be implemented with public procurement actions and new economic tools especially within cohesion policy as envisaged by the Italian Bioeconomy Strategy. Moreover, the bio-economy has proven to be a powerful leverage tool for local and regional development. Of note in this respect is the particular dynamism shown by Southern Italy due to the presence of important research centers and of some cutting-edge production sites. Important opportunities come from second generation biomass, in which Italy is a leading European actor, that exploit waste and non-food crops in marginal lands. The latter represents an important challenge also in tackling organized crime
Bringing a Sharing Economy Approach into the Food Sector: The Potential of Food Sharing for Reducing Food Waste
No full textAccording to the UN estimates, world population will increase to over
8 billion by 2030. Increasing demand for food and raw materials will place additional pressure on limited natural resources. In this context, the current levels of
food waste in advanced economies are no longer economically, socially and
environmentally sustainable over the long term. Structural changes will be needed
along the whole supply chain as well as in consumers’ attitudes and behaviours.
The sharing economy is actually playing an important role in trying to achieve more
sustainable patterns, also within the food sector. In particular, several initiatives and
start-ups are being developed in the US and Europe, involving the collection and
use of the excess of food from consumers and retailers and the promotion of
collaborative consumption models. However, the correlation between food sharing
practices and reduced food waste cannot be taken for granted. This chapter identified the literacy contours of this relationship, highlighting how food sharing is
frequently undermined by social factors and that to make it effective specific skills
are needed. Moreover, a major effort towards general routines and practices, which
underpin individual-level behavior, is required to tackle food waste in a more
effective manner
Using fuzzy cognitive maps to identify better policy strategies to valorize organic waste flows: An Italian case study.
No full textIn Europe, there is a vast amount of municipal waste available. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) represents a particularly valuable part of this waste, due to its potential to be employed to produce a range of value-added products. While several studies have addressed the utilization of the OFMSW in the Italian context, an overall picture of how the circular bioeconomy (CBE) model is being implemented in Italy is lacking. Accordingly, the present study investigated the status quo of the Italian bioeconomy sector, focusing on the use of the OFMSW as feedstock. The research aimed at increasing our understanding of barriers to the effective adoption of the CBE and identifying effective policy strategies. Specifically, a fuzzy cognitive mapping technique using an artificial neural network model was used to assess the impact of both single policy measures and policy mixes on a sample of selected outcomes, including human health, the environment, profitability and biorefinery approach. The results clearly showed that excessive bureaucracy, linear logic and technology-based solutions ignoring the complex characteristics of waste planning activities were the most important variables influencing the implementation of the CBE in Italy. Moreover, the results suggested that a policy mix combining economic and financial support policies for sustainable activities alongside improvements to waste collection systems could generate the highest positive effect on all considered outcomes
Social Life Cycle Approach as a Tool for Promoting the Market Uptake of Bio-Based Products from a Consumer Perspective.
No full textThe sustainability of bio-based products, especially when compared with fossil based products, must be assured. The life cycle approach has proven to be a promising way to analyze the social, economic and environmental impacts of bio-based products along the whole value chain. Until now, however, the social aspects have been under-investigated in comparison to environmental and economic aspects. In this context, the present paper aims to identify the main social impact categories and indicators that should be included in a social sustainability assessment of bio-based products, with a focus on the consumers’ category. To identify which social categories and indicators are most relevant, we carry out a literature review on existing social life cycle studies; this is followed by a focus group with industrial experts and academics. Afterwards, we conduct semi-structured interviews with some consumer representatives to understand which social indicators pertaining to consumers are perceived as relevant. Our findings highlight the necessity for the development and dissemination of improved frameworks capable of exploiting the consumers’ role in the ongoing process of market uptake of bio-based products. More specifically, this need regards the effective inclusion of some social indicators (i.e., end users’ health and safety, feedback mechanisms, transparency, and end-of-life responsibility) in the social life cycle assessment scheme for bio-based products. This would allow consumers, where properly communicated, to make more informed and aware purchasing choices, therefore having a flywheel effect on the market diffusion of a bio-based product
Tackling Uncertainty in the Bio-Based Economy.
No full textThere is a clear overall consensus among international institutions and governments on the need to scale down the reliance of the global economy on fossil fuels. Yet, a sustainable transition from a long-established regime based on rooted production and consumption models, requires tackling a wide array of challenges. Indeed, the transition towards a bio-based economy is still characterized by a high degree of complexity and uncertainty. Managing complexity and accounting for uncertainty entails appropriate and multidisciplinary tools. In this regard, sustainability certifications, standards and labels can play a pivotal role in navigating this transition, creating the conditions to ensure a level playing field between bio-based and conventional products
Bringing a sharing economy approach into the food sector: The potential of food sharing for reducing food waste
No full textAccording to the UN estimates, world population will increase to over 8 billion by 2030. Increasing demand for food and raw materials will place additional pressure on limited natural resources. In this context, the current levels of food waste in advanced economies are no longer economically, socially and environmentally sustainable over the long term. Structural changes will be needed along the whole supply chain as well as in consumers' attitudes and behaviours. The sharing economy is actually playing an important role in trying to achieve more sustainable patterns, also within the food sector. In particular, several initiatives and start-ups are being developed in the US and Europe, involving the collection and use of the excess of food from consumers and retailers and the promotion of collaborative consumption models. However, the correlation between food sharing practices and reduced food waste cannot be taken for granted. This chapter identified the literacy contours of this relationship, highlighting how food sharing is frequently undermined by social factors and that to make it effective specific skills are needed. Moreover, a major effort towards general routines and practices, which underpin individual-level behavior, is required to tackle food waste in a more effective manner
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