In a linear economy we ‘take’ raw materials from the environment, ‘make’
something, ‘use’ or don’t use it, and finally ‘dispose’ of it.
For
example: in a supermarket, food that is still good but needs to be
removed from shelves – often due to inventory or overstock reasons –
typically heads to the landfill. We need to adopt a new approach to
avoid this wasteful situation that challenges economies across the
globe. A circular approach – reuse, recycle, remake, redistribute – aims
to ensure zero food waste in the food chain.
Aside from the waste
associated with retailers and consumers there is a growing interest in
the potential use of food manufacture by-products and how they can be
reintroduced into the manufacture of new products. This would not only
reduces waste but also provides a nutrient recycling opportunity and
establishes a more efficient and sustainable food supply chain.