Title : Smart time temperature ecolabels (TTE) as catalysts for reducing food waste: Enhancing resource efficiency within the WEFE nexus framework
Abstract:
Over the past decade, food waste and food loss have emerged as significant challenges in the European Union (EU) and the Western Balkans, driven by inefficiencies across the food chain and consumer habits. Approximately 58 million tons of food are wasted annually in the EU, in 2023, from which around 54% comes at the household link of the food chain, contributing to environmental degradation and resource depletion. The Western Balkans face similar issues, compounded by less developed infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. A major contributor to food waste is the abuse of food intake by consumers, often due to a lack of awareness about proper storage and consumption practices. To address this, the implementation of smart time-temperature ecolabels offers a promising solution. These labels monitor the freshness of food products, providing real-time data that can prevent spoilage and reduce waste at critical points in the supply chain. By integrating this technology with an advanced lifecycle assessment (LCA) model, the positive impact on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) framework can be quantified. This model assesses the reduction in resource use and environmental impact, demonstrating how smart labelling can contribute to a more sustainable food system. The resulting data can guide policy decisions and promote practices that align with environmental preservation goals across the region.
