The Circular Economy and the Food System: A Review of Principal Measuring Tools

Franco Fassio () and Chiara Chirilli
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Franco Fassio: University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
Chiara Chirilli: University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: With average food demand on the rise and increasing pressure on sustainability, it is essential to outline the cultural framework in which food systems are evolving, with the goal of studying solutions that target concrete actions and achieve communicable and more transparent results for the market and consumers. The objective was to analyze indicators, methods, and good practices, highlighting their positive aspects, criticalities, and possible gaps, for monitoring the impact the food system has on the environment, economy, and society from a circular economy perspective. A review of scientific literature was conducted to define the framework for implementing a circular economy in the food sector. The nations most involved in circular economy research with a focus on the food system were mapped, and circular strategies and indicators were classified according to the three different scales of implementation to which they apply: micro, meso, and macro. The literature review showed that most indicators focus on material flows and end-of-life strategies, without focusing on nutrient circularity in food systems and the circular bio-economy. This work suggests a potential and original framework for analyzing food and agriculture systems that can provide a holistic assessment of the impacts, actions, and outcomes achieved by these systems.

Keywords: food circular bio-economy; agri-food pattern; indicators; assessment models; experiences and good practices; system thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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