Evaluation of opportunities for prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse of FLW in Ukraine

One of the significant challenges faced by society is food loss and waste(FLW). FLW has negative social (food security), environmental (GHG emissions, land degradation), and financial implications (FLW costs). UN developed a 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which addresses FLW problem (SG 12) and calls for substantial waste reduction through ‘prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse’(SG12.5) and adoption of sustainable practices(SG12.6).

The Ukrainian Government recognises the issue and adopted the National Waste Strategy until 2030 aiming to build a comprehensive waste management system. Currently, Ukraine’s FW is sent to landfill. On average a Ukrainian generates 250-300kg of FW/year (FAO, 2021).

The Government works on developing biofuel energy system to reduce GHG emissions and importantly to improve energy security. 3.4% of total primary energy supply in 2018 was biofuel, which is predicted to increase in future. Most of the biomass is plant residues and energy crops (UABIO, 2018), rather than FW. Although FW would be an obvious choice for biofuel, there might be better solutions for sustainability through preventing, reduction, recycling and reuse of FW.

This project addresses the ‘priority vertical’ identified by the Ukrainian Government, Food tech/Agtech, particularly FW management, to help Ukraine economy to be more socially, environmentally and financially sustainable.