Addressing food waste: An analysis of causes, impacts, and solutions in modern societies

Anetta Zielińska; Magdalena Dąbrowska; Iryna Vovk; Mariola Drozda

doi:10.14254/jsdtl.2023.8-2.22

Anetta Zielińska ⁽¹⁾ , Magdalena Dąbrowska ⁽²⁾ , Iryna Vovk ⁽³⁾ , Mariola Drozda ⁽⁴⁾

(1) Department of Advanced Research in Management, Faculty of Business and Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business , Poland

(2) Department of Production Engineering and Logistics, Faculty of Technical and Economic Sciences, Witelon Collegium State University , Poland

(3) Department of Management of Innovative Activities and the Sphere of Services, Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University , Ukraine

(4) Department of Production Engineering and Logistics, Faculty of Technical and Economic Sciences, Witelon Collegium State University , Poland

https://doi.org/10.14254/jsdtl.2023.8-2.22

Issue
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2023)

Keywords:

sustainability, food chain, food waste, reducing food waste, balancing consumption, surveys

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Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim of this paper is to explore the issue of food waste in contemporary societies, its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Methodology: The authors conducted a survey among households in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship of Poland to diagnose the structure and causes of food waste. They also analyzed statistical data on food waste in European Union countries. Results: The study found that the most food waste occurs in Germany, France, and Italy, while the least occurs in Malta, Luxembourg, and Slovenia. The authors concluded that food waste harms three interconnected areas of sustainable development goals: environmental, economic, and social. Theoretical Contribution: This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on food waste by providing a comprehensive analysis of its causes and impacts backed by empirical data. It adds value to sustainability studies by linking food waste to broader socio-economic and environmental issues. Practical Implications: The authors propose several measures to reduce food waste, such as planning purchases, processing food, sharing food with relatives or pets, using conventional and non-standard methods of food storage, and increasing the level of education and awareness about the issue. Individuals, communities, and policy-makers can implement these practical suggestions to address the problem of food waste.

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Authors

Anetta Zielińska

Department of Advanced Research in Management, Faculty of Business and Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business

anetta.zielinska@ue.wroc.pl (Primary Contact)

Magdalena Dąbrowska

Department of Production Engineering and Logistics, Faculty of Technical and Economic Sciences, Witelon Collegium State University

Iryna Vovk

Department of Management of Innovative Activities and the Sphere of Services, Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University

Mariola Drozda

Department of Production Engineering and Logistics, Faculty of Technical and Economic Sciences, Witelon Collegium State University

Zielińska, A., Dąbrowska, M., Vovk, I., & Drozda, M. (2023). Addressing food waste: An analysis of causes, impacts, and solutions in modern societies. Journal of Sustainable Development of Transport and Logistics, 8(2), 284–297. https://doi.org/10.14254/jsdtl.2023.8-2.22

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