Towards Sustainable Food Waste Management in Serbia: A Review of Challenges, Gaps, and Future Perspectives

Nevena Ivanović (), Aleksandra Vučinić, Valentina Marinković, Dušanka Krajnović and Marijana Ćurčić
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Nevena Ivanović: Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Aleksandra Vučinić: Department for Circular Economy and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Environmental Protection, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Valentina Marinković: Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Dušanka Krajnović: Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Marijana Ćurčić: Toxicological Risk Assessment Center, Department of Toxicology “Akademik Danilo Soldatović”, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-24

Abstract: Food waste is a pressing global problem with significant environmental, economic and social impacts. This review examines the state of food waste management in Serbia and contextualizes the challenges and opportunities in a global and EU framework. In the Republic of Serbia, an estimated 247,000 tons of food is wasted annually, indicating critical gaps in waste management infrastructure, consumer awareness and missing legislation. While existing policies address general waste management, there is a lack of targeted measures for food waste prevention and resource recovery. The overview recommends aligning Serbian policy with an EU legislative frame, introducing extended producer responsibility and promoting public–private cooperation to improve food donation and recycling. This is the first comprehensive study specifically addressing food waste management in Serbia and assessing its compliance with European and global best practices. By comparing Serbia’s current status with established international models, this paper identifies critical gaps and proposes actionable strategies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the food waste management system in Serbia. These include investment in infrastructure, public awareness campaigns and the use of innovative digital tools to reduce waste and support a circular economy.

Keywords: food waste; Serbia; challenges; sustainability; regulatory frame (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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