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Waste of fresh fruit and vegetables at retailers in Sweden: Measuring and calculation of mass, economic cost and climate impact
Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7753-4137
Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6469-9947
Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9707-8896
2018 (English)In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, ISSN 0921-3449, E-ISSN 1879-0658, Vol. 130, p. 118-126Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Food waste is a significant problem for environmental, economic and food security reasons. The retailer, food service and consumers have been recognised as the parts of the food supply chain where the possibility of reducing food waste is greatest in industrialised countries. In this study, primary data on fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) waste collected through direct measurements in three large retail stores in Sweden were analysed from the perspectives of wasted mass, economic cost and climate impact. A method of measuring and calculating the economic cost of FFV waste was developed and includes the cost of wasted produce, the cost of personnel time for waste management and the cost of waste collection and disposal. The results show that seven FFV categories, which have been termed "hotspot categories", contributed to the majority of the waste, both in terms of wasted mass, economic cost and climate impact. The "hotspot categories" are apple, banana, grape, lettuce, pear, sweet pepper, and tomato. The cost benefit analysis conducted showed that it is economically wise to invest in more working time for employees in waste management to accomplish a reduction of wasted mass and climate impact without an economic loss for the store. These results are relevant for supporting the implementation of policies and initiatives aimed at food waste reduction at retail level.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2018. Vol. 130, p. 118-126
National Category
Environmental Engineering
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-66185DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.10.037ISI: 000423005400016OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kau-66185DiVA, id: diva2:1181692
Available from: 2018-02-09 Created: 2018-02-09 Last updated: 2023-04-26Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Low-hanging fruit: Measures to reduce fruit and vegetable waste at supermarkets
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Low-hanging fruit: Measures to reduce fruit and vegetable waste at supermarkets
2023 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

More than 30 percent of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. This leads to a significant environmental impact in terms of inefficient use of natural resources, as well as economic costs and social and moral issues. The purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of fruit and vegetable waste at the retail level and provide recommendations for actions that aim to prevent and reduce food waste. Primary data were collected at three large supermarkets in Sweden in 2013 and 2019, with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods applied. The results show that the total annual amount of fruit and vegetable waste for the three stores was 68 tonnes, the economic cost was SEK 1,628,000, and the global warming potential was 32,600 kg CO2-eq. The results also show that out of 81 fruit and vegetable categories, seven categories contributed to the majority of the waste in terms of mass, economic cost, and climate impact. These categories are apple, banana, grape, lettuce, pear, sweet pepper, and tomato. Furthermore, the role of employees is central to reducing food waste, and a cost benefit analysis revealed that it is financially justifiable to increase their working hours for preventive waste management in order to accomplish a reduction of waste without an economic loss for the stores. Between 2013 and 2019, the wasted mass was reduced by 12 percent while sales increased by 18 percent. The waste reduction can be explained by five effective measures concerning cooling facilities, product range, crediting, packaging, and best before date labels. The thesis comprised four papers and provides a base for planning and implementing reduction measures for the grocery retail sector, which will contribute to a sustainable food supply chain.

Abstract [en]

More than 30 percent of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. The purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of fruit and vegetable waste at the retail level and provide recommendations for actions that aim to prevent and reduce food waste. Primary data were collected at three large supermarkets in Sweden in 2013 and 2019, with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods applied. The results show that the total annual amount of fruit and vegetable waste for the three stores was 68 tonnes, the economic cost was SEK 1,628,000, and the global warming potential was 32,600 kg CO2-eq. The role of employees is central to reducing food waste, and a cost benefit analysis revealed that it is financially justifiable to increase their working hours for preventive waste management in order to accomplish a reduction of waste without an economic loss for the stores. Between 2013 and 2019, the wasted mass was reduced by 12 percent while sales increased by 18 percent, and five effective measures were identified. The thesis comprised four papers and provides a base for planning and implementing reduction measures for the grocery retail sector, which will contribute to a sustainable food supply chain.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Karlstads universitet, 2023. p. 68
Series
Karlstad University Studies, ISSN 1403-8099 ; 2023:17
Keywords
food waste, retail, supermarket, fruit and vegetable, causes, measures, employees
National Category
Energy Systems
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-94450 (URN)978-91-7867-376-6 (ISBN)978-91-7867-377-3 (ISBN)
Public defence
2023-06-07, Nyquist Lecture hall, 9C203, Karlstad, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2023-05-17 Created: 2023-04-26 Last updated: 2023-05-17Bibliographically approved

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Mattsson, LisaWilliams, HelénBerghel, Jonas

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