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Open research questions in Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability

94 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 657 Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Further research on the effectiveness of the FoodSaveShare Mobile App in reducing household food waste, - Investigation of the app's potential for integration with other retail chains, - Study of the app's impact on user behavior and food waste reduction

    Managing Household Food Waste with the FoodSaveShare Mobile Application · 2024 · DOI

  • The lack of standardized concepts and inconsistent methodologies in food waste quantification. The high costs, time, energy, and expertise required for direct measurement methods. The need to address sociocultural factors and behavioral tendencies in food waste generation.

    A Systematic Informetric Analysis and Literature Review of Food Waste Quantification Studies in the Food Service Industry · 2024 · DOI

  • Further elaboration and improvement of the research protocol, - Validation or supplementation of current findings, - Investigation of sociocultural factors influencing food waste generation, - Development of practical and sustainable food waste prevention strategies

    A Systematic Informetric Analysis and Literature Review of Food Waste Quantification Studies in the Food Service Industry · 2024 · DOI

  • Further research on food waste management in the hospitality sector, - Investigation of the effectiveness of strategies for reducing food waste, - Study of the impact of food waste on the environment and human health

    Food Waste Management at Selected Tourist Hotels in Zanzibar: Current Practices and Challenges in Creating a Circular Economy in the Hospitality Sector · 2024 · DOI

  • There are limited studies that have applied a mixed-methods research strategy to food waste management. Many studies were based on quantitative methods, and few focused on the exploratory nature of qualitative research alone.

    Food Waste Management at Selected Tourist Hotels in Zanzibar: Current Practices and Challenges in Creating a Circular Economy in the Hospitality Sector · 2024 · DOI

  • Research limitations/implications This study reflects gaps in the literature, notably the lack of longitudinal, systemic and socio-technical analyses.

    Adopting technologies for sustainable Agri-Food supply chains in developing countries: insights from a systematic literature review · 2026 · DOI

  • Although numerous studies have investigated the determinants of agricultural productivity, the role of digital technologies in supporting sustainable agri-food practices in developing contexts remains underexplored.

    Adopting technologies for sustainable Agri-Food supply chains in developing countries: insights from a systematic literature review · 2026 · DOI

  • This research uniquely examines the factors promoting food waste reduction among university students in Germany, a group underexplored in current studies.

    Being the “Better” student: intentions to reduce food waste · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should investigate cooperative valorization models, consumer demand for whey-based products, and lifecycle assessments of environmental outcomes.

    Circular business models for whey valorization in the Kenyan dairy sector through product life extension and resource recovery · 2025 · DOI

  • Abstract In the context of global efforts to reduce food waste, consumer behavior in public dining settings remains an underexplored area particularly the emotionally charged decision to request packaging for uneaten food.

    Consumer preferences for leftover packaging in food waste utilization · 2025 · DOI

  • While limited to a single cultural context, this study highlights the importance of considering socio-emotional and cultural factors in sustainability behaviors.

    Consumer preferences for leftover packaging in food waste utilization · 2025 · DOI

  • Studies on food waste have predominantly focused on conscientiousness, with limited research on other personality traits.

    The influence of the big five personality traits on impulse buying and wasting of palm oil-based foods · 2025 · DOI

  • High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The integration of IoT sensors with dynamic shelf life (DSL) systems unlocks real-time visibility into perishable goods, yet the full life-cycle trade-offs of such technologies remain underexplored.

    Reducing Food Loss and Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using a Dynamic Shelf Life Approach · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite this, the relationship between takeaway food consumption and depressive symptoms in Chinese populations has not been clarified.

    Takeaway food consumption and depressive symptoms in Chinese university students: mediating effects of physical activity · 2025 · DOI

  • While existing studies has largely focused on behavioral interventions targeting individual stakeholders, quantitative assessments of the efficacy of government-level policies remain scarce.

    The impact of cold storage facilities implemented at the production site on mitigating fruit and vegetable losses in China · 2025 · DOI

  • Participants identified barriers to waste reduction, such as impulse buying, poor storage practices, and limited knowledge of food rescue initiatives.

    Household Food Waste Reduction Determinants in Hungary: Towards Understanding Responsibility, Awareness, Norms, and Barriers · 2025 · DOI

  • A literature review showed that currently accessible digital tools are scarce and cover a narrow range of functionalities.

    Managing Household Food Waste with the FoodSaveShare Mobile Application · 2024 · DOI

  • Few studies have examined the cadre–farmer relationship and its impact on rural waste pollution.

    The effect of cadre–farmer relationship on farmers’ willingness to treat domestic waste: evidence from China · 2024 · DOI

  • We found that the embodied impacts of FLW along the supply chain and impacts from FLW treatment received equal attention, but few studies have included both.

    Wasted Food, Wasted Resources? A Critical Review of Environmental Impact Analysis of Food Loss and Waste Generation and Treatment · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the lack of evidence regarding the scale and origins of FLW hinder determination of its environmental impact and prioritisation of mitigation action.

    Reducing food loss and waste contributes to energy, economic and environmental sustainability · 2024 · DOI

  • However, little is known about what drives urban upcycling and which barriers and drivers occur.

    Motives, drivers and barriers to urban upcycling: Insights from furniture upcycling in the Netherlands · 2024 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the understanding of tourism-driven waste and GHG emissions. The study highlights the need for more effective municipal waste management strategies.

    Tourism-Driven Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Case Study of Hotels And Culinary Activities in Bukittinggi · 2026 · DOI

  • The study demonstrates that rice generates the highest waste during production and post-harvest handling stages, and that meat and fish waste produce varying GHG emissions across different supply chain phases, but lacks life cycle assessment (LCA) data comparing the environmental impact of sourcing local versus imported food ingredients for Bukittinggi's tourism culinary sector.

    Tourism-Driven Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Case Study of Hotels And Culinary Activities in Bukittinggi · 2026 · DOI

  • The IoT monitoring subsystem requires stable internet connectivity for real-time telemetry. The current implementation has a limited scope and may not be scalable to larger areas.

    Smart Food Waste Rescue Hub Application: IOT-Enabled Platform for Surplus Food Redistribution · 2026 · DOI

  • To improve the scalability and sustainability of the platform. To integrate more advanced IoT sensors and technologies. To expand the platform to larger areas and more users.

    Smart Food Waste Rescue Hub Application: IOT-Enabled Platform for Surplus Food Redistribution · 2026 · DOI

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94 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 657 Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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