Analysis of food waste generation and its implications for food security and ecosystem sustainability in Europe

• Food waste in Europe is significant, with households, retail, and hospitality sectors identified as major contributors. • Food waste has direct negative effects on food security and environmental sustainability, particularly through carbon emissions. • Reducing food waste can increase food availability, lower food prices, and mitigate hunger in vulnerable populations. • Effective waste management practices like composting and anaerobic digestion are crucial for reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability. This study aims to present the quantitative assessment of food waste generation in Europe and its contribution to food security and environmental sustainability. A cross-sectional survey design was employed and 360 nutritionists across Europe were sampled using an online questionnaire. The study also used regression analysis to determine the association between levels of food waste, food security, and the environment. Critical insights reveal that households generate the highest quantities of food waste, followed by the retail and hospitality industries. A large number of those surveyed acknowledged the direct link between food waste and food insecurity and emphasized the role that food recovery and redistribution programs can play in addressing food insecurity. The environmental analysis demonstrated a significant amount of methane released from food waste and the importance of proper waste management strategies, namely anaerobic digestion and composting. Finally, the study finds that current policies have made significant progress, but there is more need for strategic and coordinated enforcement across all EU member states. The significance of this research is due to its scope of analyzing the multidimensional effects of food waste and the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach to this problem. The study therefore adds to the formulation of more effective food waste reduction policies that improve food security and environmental sustainability in Europe.