10. Reducing and Managing Food Waste: Challenges and Way Forward

The management of food waste (FWM) is a globally pervasive issue characterized by inherent risks. The issue of reducing food losses and food waste is receiving growing global, regional, and national recognition. It is widely recognized that addressing this issue can help alleviate other sustainability concerns, such as food security and climate change. Furthermore, there is an increasing consensus among political and scientific communities regarding the imperative to mitigate global food waste (FW). Food waste is a prevalent issue that arises across several stages of the food supply chain, including production, refining, transport, and consumption. Furthermore, an additional factor contributing to the issue is the absence of adequate planning. Food waste is responsible for the onset of several diseases and contributes to the degradation of the environment. The primary source of loss in low-income nations such as Bangladesh is predominantly observed during the production stage. The consequences stemming from global food waste encompass the depletion of biodiversity, a substantial volume of water amounting to 250 km³, and the squandering of approximately 30% of the Earth's agricultural area. However, the principal ramifications mostly manifest in the form of global warming and the release of greenhouse gases. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it has been estimated that food losses (FL) and waste contribute to a proportion above 10% of the total global energy consumption. Therefore, food waste has a substantial role in the exacerbation of global warming. Despite the fact that Bangladesh exhibits a range of 67–75% freshwater (FW) resources, there remains a dearth of comprehensive knowledge and study pertaining to the management of FW in the country. Given the aforementioned context, it is imperative to do an analysis of the current situation and consistently evaluate the challenges, opportunities, and significant policy ramifications associated with the management of food waste. The objective of this study is to perform a comprehensive review of the current body of literature, with the intention of examining the contextual obstacles and suggesting potential strategies for mitigating and controlling food waste. It is imperative for the government of Bangladesh to implement initiatives aimed at mitigating and effectively managing the issue of food waste.