Perceptions of Food Waste Reduction in Sri Lanka’s Commercial Capital, Colombo

In 2019, Sri Lanka introduced two policies that referred to food waste and the need reduce it. To understand key stakeholders’ readiness in this context, study analyzed perceptions of private public sectors Colombo (open markets, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, canteens, caterers authorities). Interviews were carried out with operational managers officials, as well other stakeholders who have roles redistribution reuse, such NGOs livestock sector. So far, food-waste-related policy recommendations lack an inter-institutional home which can build on measures, like standards, regulations incentives. Thus, most reduction initiatives are initiated by or sector, e.g., larger hotels supermarket chains. These entities ready lead example, based understanding urban is internal (financial) management challenge. Among smaller local entities, was perceived more external issue be handled city’s collection services. Although varied between generating quantities waste, there general agreement suboptimal capacities mechanisms quantify, monitor cost generation appeared obstacles for in-depth awareness creation action. There significant interest communication platforms cross-sectoral learning, win/win collaborations reliable (reuse) services currently operational, those provided piggeries, surplus if safety related liabilities addressed effectively.