Minimization of Food Waste in Retail Sector using Time-Series Analysis and Object Detection Algorithm

Abstract

One-third of the total food produced gets wasted according to the Food And Agriculture Association of the United Nations. This wastage accounts for 1.3 billion tonnes and the scarcity of food is one of the major concerns globally. This paper presents comprehensive research on various factors that lead to the wastage of food in the retail sector. And a robust methodology is proposed which aims at reducing the waste to as minimal as possible in this sector. A method is proposed which integrates the inventory prediction and forecasting technique with smart dustbins which uses state of the art object detection technique to analyze the waste that gets thrown into bins in order to provide with insights to help optimize the use of raw materials that are used in preparing food and further redistribution and valorization of unpredictable waste. Thus producing minimal food waste.