Food Waste Management in a Circular Economy Perspective : A case study of Swedish juice plant Loviseberg presseri AB

Abstract: One third of all the food produced for human consumption is being wasted all around the world. The recovery and optimum use of this food waste is vital to support the growing population and food demand. The main objective of this research is to identify the optimum use of organic waste, using a circular economy approach, to generate recommendations that help industries in the food sector to reduce and valorize waste. A case study for food waste management alternative selection with the Swedish juice plant Loviseberg presseri AB is presented. This study furthermore proposes a detailed operation procedure of the selected options according to the results exploring the potential add value to the residue remaining from cold-pressed juice process. It was found that 49% of the total weight from raw material is wasted after the extraction process, being apple and orange the larger contributors. The research identified and recommended, for the specific case study, that the optimum use of apple pomace is used for ingredient for human consumption products, followed by animal feed and pectin production. As for the orange waste, it was identified to be used for essential oil extraction, followed by animal feed and anaerobic digestion. Furthermore, the results of the research shows, that a combination of the different waste management alternatives would also benefit the company. The research also identified potential challenges as well as benefits, which depend in the specific waste analyzed.