Creative and Sustainable Initiatives to Combat Food Waste at the Consumption Stage

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on analyzing food waste at the consumption stage and proposing creative and sustainable measures to end this problem.

Over the last five years, the problem of food waste has made it to government agendas, while initiatives aimed at stopping it have also increased exponentially. Consumer awareness of this problem is increasing, but studies show that, when it comes to reducing food waste, the economic consequences of the problem outweigh the social and environmental ones.

This Special Issue on combatting food waste through responsible consumption aims to gather the latest results of the innovative research in this field. In particular, it seeks to investigate the complex relationship between consumer behavior and the reduction of food waste, highlighting the role of consumers in promoting more responsible consumption patterns.

Studies on innovative and effective educational and communication initiatives, technological innovations, policy interventions and collaborative efforts of members of the food supply chain are very welcome. Research that analyzes the reduction of food waste at the consumption stage, through the application of artificial intelligence methodologies, challenges and games, is also encouraged.

With its multidisciplinary perspective, this Special Issue aims to offer practical knowledge to the policymakers and researchers interested in creating solutions to the problem of food waste in the form of strategies that make consumers change their perception of the value of food, so that more responsible behavior is stimulated. 

Original research articles and reviews are welcome in this Special Issue. Their research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Consumer behavior towards food waste;
• Food waste reduction strategies;
• The social and cultural influences on food consumption;
• Food packaging and sustainability;
• Collaborative initiatives in the food supply chain;
• Educational interventions/initiatives about responsible consumption with respect to food waste;
• Technology and innovation in food waste reduction;
• Artificial intelligence and sustainability;
• Gamification to curb food waste;
• The policy implications of responsible consumption;
• The social and environmental implications of food waste;
• Systematic reviews on responsible consumption with respect to food waste.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Elena Fraj Andrés
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• food waste
• responsible behavior
• sustainability
• food waste initiatives
• environmental marketing strategies
• food waste management strategies
• artificial intelligence
• gamification