Sustaining Food Waste for Energy Conversion: A Mini Review

Adityas Agung Ramandani; Nova Rachmadona; Heli Siti Halimatul Munawaroh; John Chi-Wei Lan; Navish Kataria; Kuan Shiong Khoo

doi:10.53941/gefr.2025.100004

Abstract

The escalating global food waste crisis poses significant environmental challenges and resource losses, with approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption wasted each year. This review explores the innovative conversion of food waste into bioenergy by highlighting various technologies such as hydrothermal conversion, gasification coupled with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, bio-electrochemical, and synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. These methods help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with food waste disposal and also provide renewable energy alternatives that can help reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Recent advancements in these technologies have demonstrated improved efficiency, greater feedstock flexibility, and enhanced economic viability, making food waste essential in the pursuit of a circular bioeconomy. This review emphasizes the importance of matching and screening different types of food waste for energy conversion, which is crucial for optimizing resource recovery and maximizing energy output. By examining the latest developments in food waste-to-bioenergy technologies, this review also aims to underscore the potential of food waste as a valuable resource and contribute to sustainable waste management and energy security efforts. The transformative potential of food waste conversion technologies in addressing the pressing global food waste crisis were evaluated. Adopting these methods promotes a circular bioeconomy where waste is valued as a resource, not a burden. The integration of these technologies into existing food waste management systems will be crucial for achieving energy security, mitigating environmental impacts, and promoting sustainable resource utilization. As we face the challenges of food waste, these solutions may represent a critical pathway toward a more sustainable future.

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