Development of a pragmatic framework to help food and drink manufacturers select the most sustainable food waste valorisation strategy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.06.037
• Publication Date: 2019-06-26T21:15:57Z
• Authors: Jamie Stone; Guillermo Garcia-...; Shahin Rahimifard
• Keywords: Valorisation; Food Waste

Food waste is a significant contemporary issue in the UK, with substantial environmental, social and economic costs to nation. Whilst efforts reduce food are laudable, proportion of drink manufacturer unavoidable. On one hand, there drive from industry reclaim as much value this possible, for example, by conversion valuable products what known "valorisation". At same time, growing legislative pressures mean that any attempts valorise must be performed sustainable manner. However, every company its specific wastes, will multiple valorisation possibilities few tools exist allow manufacturers identify which most profitable them. Such decision would need not only consider performance, but also how ready technology well it aligns company's strategy. In response, paper develops presents hybrid framework guides modelling volumes/seasonality identifying potential options selecting appropriate indicators performance technological maturity alignment goals. The users analyzing environmental using Cost-Benefit Analysis Life Cycle Assessment respectively. results can then ranked alongside those goals weighted sum model variant Multi-Criteria Decision facilitate easy visual comparison. This demonstrated form case study major UK fruit consolidator optimal strategy managing their citrus waste. Possibilities identified included sale imperfect still edible via wholesale at significantly reduced profit investment facilities extract higher pectin stream microwave assisted extraction process. Results suggest continued markets currently beneficial terms viability medium long term, projected growth market suggests could become viable