Food Waste Management in Urban Areas: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions

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@article{1708371,
      author = {Dr. Olushola Adeborode, Kolawole, Kolawole Owoigbe},
      title = {Food Waste Management in Urban Areas: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {8},
      number = {11},
      pages = {460-470},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1708371.pdf},
      abstract = {The management of food waste has become a critical challenge in urban areas, encompassing environmental, socio-economic, and governance concerns. The increasing volume of food waste produced in cities is significantly influenced by rapid urbanization, inefficient supply chains, and changing consumption patterns (FAO, 2019). This paper critically examines the current challenges and sustainable solutions associated with food waste management in urban environments, with a particular emphasis on systemic inefficiencies that exacerbate environmental degradation and economic losses. The study identifies principal barriers, such as inadequate infrastructure, low public awareness, poor waste segregation at source, and insufficient regulatory frameworks, through a comprehensive review of scholarly literature, case studies, and policy documents (Gustavsson et al., 2011; Aschemann-Witzel et al., 2015). The results indicate that numerous urban centers, particularly those in developing countries, are devoid of effective source-level segregation mechanisms, which impede the potential for recycling and decomposition (Adewumi et al., 2020). In addition, the necessity for targeted education and behavior change strategies is underscored by the significant role of consumer behavior, which is influenced by socio-cultural and psychological factors, in household-level food wastage (Papargyropoulou et al., 2014). The paper suggests a variety of sustainable solutions to address these multifaceted challenges, including the establishment of food redistribution networks, such as food banks and surplus-sharing platforms, which have been successful in reducing both waste and food insecurity in cities such as London and New York (Mourad, 2016). Additionally, the paper suggests the adoption of circular economy approaches, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, to convert food waste into renewable energy and bio-fertilizers, as effectively implemented in cities such as Stockholm and Seoul (Jensen et al., 2017; Song et al., 2015).  By emphasizing the necessity of integrated collaboration among governments, private sectors, and communities to cultivate sustainable urban ecosystems, this study concludes by advocating for the alignment of urban food waste management strategies with Sustainable Development Goal 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production.},
      keywords = {Food Waste Management, Urban Food Systems, Circular Economy, Sustainable Waste Solutions, Environmental Policy},
      month = {May},
  }