WASTE HIERARCHY FOR FOOD

In this short article we will introduce the main hierarchy to prevent food waste and the different options you can use before food disposal, ordered from the most preferable option to the least preferable option.

  1. PREVENTION
  • Avoid surplus food generation throughout food production and consumption.
  • Prevent food waste generation throughout the food supply chain.
  1. RE-USE (human consumption)
  • Re-use surplus food for human consumption through redistribution networks and food banks while respecting safety and hygiene norms.
  1. RE-USE (animal feed)
  • Feed use of certain food no longer intended for human consumption following European Commission guidelines.
  1. REUSE (by-products) / RECYCLE (food waste)
  • Revalorise by-products from food processing and food waste into added-value products by processes that keep the high value of the molecule bonds of the material.
  1. RECYCLE (nutrients recovery)
  • Recovery of substances contained in food waste for low added-value uses such as composting, digestate from anaerobic digestion, among others.
  1. RECOVERY (energy)
  • Incineration of food waste with energy recovery.
  1. DISPOSAL
  • Waste incinerated without energy recovery.
  • Waste sent to landfill.
  • Waste ingredient/product for sewage disposal.

Learn more about this: https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/food-waste/eu-actions-against-food-waste/food-waste-measurement_en