Sustainability Assessment of Food-Waste-Reduction Measures by Converting Surplus Food into Processed Food Products for Human Consumption

Food waste is a major challenge for society as it causes economic, environmental and social problems. Many food-waste-reduction measures aim to prevent food at the source or by redistributing surplus via donation. However, would also be useful evaluate surplus-food redistribution, where can made available human consumption valorization (recycling). This paper evaluates measures, converted into processed products consumption, which are then sold in German retail store. The objective assess whether this kind of recycling effective reducing how sustainable considering impacts. results pilot study show total reduction 19 kg within 17 weeks. Furthermore, all were economically profitable, with per product net revenue upcycled between EUR 0.42 0.70. assessment varied from savings 1.55 CO2 equivalents/kg addition 1.88 carbon footprint 0.70 mPt/kg footprint. indicators could only qualitatively described. results, therefore, recommend option an efficient measure under optimal conditions. More research needed describe different situations therefore improve sustainability supply chain.