29 Aug 2017
Waste and the Nexus // Food Processing and Waste Within the Nexus Framework
By Elena Castell-Perez, Carmen Gomes, Jeffry Tahtouh, Rosana Moreira, Eric S. McLamore, Hal S. Knowles III. The purpose of this review is to present the challenges and potential solutions regarding the food manufacturing industry and waste production within the WEF (Water, Energy, and Food) nexus framework. Prevention and recovery solutions to alleviate waste from food producing (farm), industrial/retail (processing), and consuming (consumers) are considered.
Breakthroughs in food processing have focused on water reuse by treatment and decreasing waste in order to minimize water use. Solutions for farm waste recovery have been employed by feeding animals and compost.
There are opportunities and risks to use waste as a resource that leads to reduced water and energy usage from farm to table. New technology could help farmers, processors, and consumers benefit from waste by means of better management. Reduced waste of food and water also leads to improved environmental conditions and sustainability, but updated best management practices are needed to minimize risk (both economic and health).