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Socioeconomic Impacts of Food Waste Reduction in the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • Vidas Lekavičius

    (Laboratory of Energy Systems Research, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos g. 3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Viktorija Bobinaitė

    (Laboratory of Energy Systems Research, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos g. 3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Daina Kliaugaitė

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Donelaičio g. 20, 44239 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Kristina Rimkūnaitė

    (Laboratory of Energy Systems Research, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos g. 3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

Abstract

Food waste is a global multidimensional problem, with economic, social, and environmental dimensions linked to sustainable development. This study analyses the socio-economic and pollution effects of reducing food waste in the European Union. The food waste reduction scenarios analysed cover all segments of the supply chain from primary production to household consumption. Using the economy-wide model SAMmodEU, the impact of the scenarios is analysed in the context of the whole economy. Most scenarios analysed demonstrate positive socioeconomic effects in terms of a slight increase in gross domestic product and increasing employment. The multicriteria analysis indicates that the best overall performance is achieved by reducing food waste in the foodservice. It is recommended to focus on behaviour in policy design, thereby reducing food waste both in food services and in households and ensuring positive socioeconomic impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Vidas Lekavičius & Viktorija Bobinaitė & Daina Kliaugaitė & Kristina Rimkūnaitė, 2023. "Socioeconomic Impacts of Food Waste Reduction in the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10151-:d:1179964
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dimitrios Mathioudakis & Panagiotis Karageorgis & Konstantina Papadopoulou & Thomas Fruergaard Astrup & Gerasimos Lyberatos, 2022. "Environmental and Economic Assessment of Alternative Food Waste Management Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-27, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sergejs Kodors & Jelena Lonska & Imants Zarembo & Anda Zvaigzne & Ilmars Apeinans & Juta Deksne, 2024. "Knowledge-Based Recommendation System for Plate Waste Reduction in Latvian Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-34, September.
    2. Vidas Lekavičius & Viktorija Bobinaitė & Rimantė Balsiūnaitė & Daina Kliaugaitė & Kristina Rimkūnaitė & Jovita Vasauskaitė, 2023. "Socioeconomic Impacts of Sustainability Practices in the Production and Use of Carrier Bags," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, August.

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