Innovative trends in reducing food waste and ensuring a more sustainable food system and environment

Abstract

Food waste is one of the most important issues affecting modern food systems, with estimates indicating that almost one-third of food is either lost or wasted throughout the food supply chain, resulting in substantial environmental and socioeconomic consequences. We generate tonnes of edible and non-food wastes each year that is lost through inadequate storage or transportation, improper handling, adverse weather conditions, customer behaviour, a lack of cold storage or rejection in relation to aesthetic standards. Reduction in food loss and waste may result in more food for everyone, lower greenhouse gas emissions, less strain on water and land resources, higher productivity, economic development and more sustainable communities. This can be attained by adopting green, digital, innovative and enhanced technologies that are increasingly being used to prevent, reuse and recycle food waste. It has also been explored briefly how food waste might be recycled, waste minimised at source by technological options including machine learning etc. and utilised as a source of energy, biofuels, and nutrients in the agricultural industry. The present study discusses the technological advancement in nanotechnology, digital and green extraction technologies that are promising in the battle to decrease food waste and increase food security. It also explores the digital innovations in novel apps, platforms, social media for preventing and monitoring food waste and loss to raise public awareness. Finally, proposals for reducing waste through public awareness and necessary measures for governments are also presented.