A complete decision-support infrastructure for food waste valorisation. (20th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheppard, Phil; Garcia-Garcia, Guillermo; Stone, Jamie; Rahimifard, Shahin
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 247(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02-20
• Subjects: Food waste -- Valorisation -- Process engineering -- Reaction pathways -- Decision-support -- Biorefining; BaaS Biorefining-as-a-Service -- CAMD Computer-Aided Molecular Design -- CCAs Climate Change Agreements -- CCL Climate Change Levy -- FORKLIFT FOod side flow Recovery LIFe cycle Tool -- EE Energy Efficiency -- EES Economic, Environmental and Social -- FLW Food Loss and Waste -- FW Food Waste -- GHG Greenhouse Gas -- ICS International Classification for Standards -- IFR Ideal Final Result -- IREE Investor Ready Energy Efficiency -- LCA Life-Cycle Assessment -- LCC Life-Cycle Costing -- QSAR Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship -- QSPR Quantitative (or Quantified) Structure-Property Relationships -- REFRESH Resource Efficient Food and dRink for the Entire Supply cHain -- SDs Signature Descriptors -- SWaVI Sustainable Waste Valorisation Identifier -- TIs Topological Indices -- TRL Technology Readiness Level -- UNIFAC Universal Functional-group Activity Coefficients -- WRAP Waste and Resources Action Programme; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: The quantity of energy and materials embodied in food means that wasting a third of it, which is the level of inefficiency reached according to studies in recent years, impacts negatively on living standards at whatever level they are around the world. An increased level of consciousness about the issue has stimulated initiatives to address it, leading, sensibly, to the development of decision-making systems to support proper management of the materials. Here, we present the first review and evaluation of four recently developed systems targeting food waste. These tools broadly embody a logical model which identifies and quantifies food waste flows at different scales, characterises them, identifies appropriate conversion technologies, and enables assessment of the economic, environmental and social effects of different pathway options, along with other factors to provide a final fit with the circumstances of each owner of the food waste. Our review concludes that these tools are necessary but not sufficient to lift the management of food waste from a grossly sub-optimal level to a system which would be recognised by pre-and emerging-industrial generations but with valorisations of much higher value. Specifically, we identify knowledge-based elements of a management system which would be free of specific supply chain context and therefore have much greater power to direct resources affordably for maximum economic, environmental and social value. Highlights: Converting unavoidable food waste sustainably is integral to sustainability. Four recent food waste management support tools are critically assessed. They are necessary but not sufficient to enable universal, comprehensive solutions. A knowledge-based system free of supply chain context is described. This promises greater power to maximise economic, environmental and social value.