Open AccessCommentary
Transition towards Circular Economy in the Food System
by
Alexandra Jurgilevich 1,*, Traci Birge 2,†, Johanna Kentala-Lehtonen 3,†, Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki 1,†, Janna Pietikäinen 1,†, Laura Saikku 4,† and Hanna Schösler 5,†
1
Department of Environmental Sciences/Helsinki University Centre for Environment, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 2A, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland
2
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 5, Helsinki 00014, Finland
3
Forum for Environmental Information/Helsinki University Centre for Environment, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 2A, 2029, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland
4
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Mechelininkatu 34a, P.O. Box 140, Helsinki 00260, Finland
5
Research Division of Food and Health Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth 95440, Germany
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
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Abstract
Growing population and increased demand for food, inefficient resource use and food distribution, environmental impacts, and high rates of food wasted at all stages of the food system are all calling for transition towards more sustainable practices. In this article we apply the
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Growing population and increased demand for food, inefficient resource use and food distribution, environmental impacts, and high rates of food wasted at all stages of the food system are all calling for transition towards more sustainable practices. In this article we apply the concept of circular economy to the case of a sustainable food system. Furthermore, we explore the transition towards a circular food system through the lens of socio-technical transition theory towards sustainability. We discuss challenges and potential solutions for the production stage (focusing on nutrient flow), the consumption stage (focusing on meat consumption), and food waste and surplus management and prevention.
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