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Food waste in the retail sector: A survey-based evidence from Central and Eastern Europe

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  • EiÄ aitÄ—, Ovidija
  • Baležentis, Tomas
  • RibaÅ¡auskienÄ—, Erika
  • MorkÅ«nas, Mangirdas
  • MelnikienÄ—, Rasa
  • Å treimikienÄ—, Dalia

Abstract

This paper explores the issue of food waste in the Lithuanian retail sector. A questionnaire survey was designed in order to collect the relevant data from both the largest retail chains with stores around the country and companies with small-scale stores in rural areas. The present case is interesting as the literature on Central and Eastern European countries is scarce in the sense of the quantification of food waste. In this paper, the amounts of food waste among different food product categories are discussed and then extrapolated to approximate food waste in retail trade for Lithuania by using sales revenue as a key parameter. The results suggest that food waste in the Lithuanian retail sector amounts to 36.4 thousand tonnes or 13.0Â kg per capita per year. Fruits and vegetables account for more than a half (63%), whereas meat (products) come next representing some 9% of food waste. Therefore, these products can be considered as the major targets for valorisation schemes and other measures aimed at mitigation of food waste.

Suggested Citation

  • EiÄ aitÄ—, Ovidija & Baležentis, Tomas & RibaÅ¡auskienÄ—, Erika & MorkÅ«nas, Mangirdas & MelnikienÄ—, Rasa & Å treimikienÄ—, Dalia, 2022. "Food waste in the retail sector: A survey-based evidence from Central and Eastern Europe," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joreco:v:69:y:2022:i:c:s0969698922002090
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.103116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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