SUSTAIN CIRCULAR ECONOMY. Keeping nutrients in the food chain

FAO forecasts predict that by 2050 the world population will reach 9,7 billion people. This means that food requirements will consequently increase: in order to supply these growing needs, food waste and the current competition for raw materials between humans and animals will have to be reduced. To ensure food and water for the whole population it will be necessary switching from a linear (take- production-consume-throw away) to a circular economy.

This means that circular economy is an evolution of the traditional linear one. Additionally, it also is a more sustainable model in which products could be always reused without creating wastes.

Under this perspective, circularity is the most important topic to focus on: production, distribution, consumption/use and reuse, collection and at finally recycling.
Furthermore, this economic model is considered to follow the 3-R approach: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to extend the products life cycle and to reduce waste.

If industries use this system, it will be possible reducing the environmental impact and raw materials wastes. Every year, around 20% of food produced in EU is lost or wasted, causing unacceptable social, environmental and economic harm.

 

Circular economy could also be adapted to the feed industry. Ex-food represent a useful way for converting losses from the food industry into ingredients for animal feed, keeping nutrients in the food chain. This makes possible reusing what should be wasted, turning it into feed ingredients with an increased value.