Title:    Food Waste Management in a Circular Economy: reduction and valorisation strategies

Time:    2026-01-26 09:30

Lecturer:  Francesca Girotto

University of Milan, Italy

Venue:    Room 202, Lu-Jiaxi Building

Abstract：

Food waste represents one of the major sustainability challenges of modern food systems, with significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. This presentation introduces the circular economy framework for food waste management, following the hierarchical pyramid of action, where prevention and reduction are prioritised over downstream management options. Key strategies such as food waste prevention, redistribution and donation, recycling through composting, and energy recovery via anaerobic digestion are discussed, highlighting their respective roles, benefits, and limitations. The talk emphasises the need for integrated and systemic approaches to minimise food waste generation while maximising resource efficiency and sustainability across the agri-food chain.