What practices can be implemented to successfully prevent food waste generation in the European Union? Evidence from Belgian food waste prevention actions

Details

Supervisors

Desmet, Carlos

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

This thesis aims to answer the following question with evidence from Belgian food waste prevention actions: What practices can be implemented to successfully prevent food waste generation in the European Union? The literature review addresses first food loss and waste generation, its extent, impact, and causes. Second, food loss and waste prevention actions are reviewed. Actions are classified according to their goal, and the best action groups are those higher in the food waste hierarchy: supply chain efficiency and consumers’ behavior change actions. A qualitative research on Belgian initiatives is carried out using the Framework for the evaluation of food waste prevention actions developed by Caldeira et al. (2019). A Qualitative Comparative Analysis is performed on a selection of cases. As the answer to the research question depends on the group to which actions belong, it is concluded that actions of all groups should be implemented to offer a comprehensive food waste prevention strategy. A process is discovered to ensure that a supply chain efficiency action becomes successful. Awareness or educational campaigns using a combination of means are recommended to change consumers’ behavior. The needs to cooperate and to have a steady source of funding (either public or non-public) are emphasized for redistribution actions. Finally, all governments are urged to set up a national food waste prevention program, incorporating many different initiatives.