From surplus-to-waste: A study of systemic overproduction, surplus and food waste in horticultural supply chains

Until recently, food waste prevention intervention has largely offered ‘end of pipe solutions’ that focus on causes at specific points in supply chains and dealing with the physical material itself. Recent research taken a different approach by emphasizing systemic nature problem need for its in-depth exploration. This paper offers systems-based understanding waste, which allows an account interconnected processes underpin creation along whole chain. Through qualitative inquiry practices surplus Australian horticulture industry, findings precisely delineate ‘surplus-to-waste lock-ins’. That is, institutional, cultural, factors enable through related categories over-production formation. The article’s identification analysis surplus-to-waste lock-ins is grounded socio-technical transitions perspective extends transition studies to agrifood systems horticultural waste. positions theoretically as symptom ‘system-lock-in’, may thwart efforts prevent thus bridges micro macro levels analysis. These translate into three key recommendations policy research: approaches addressing are essential unlocking prevention, should target identified system contributing chain lock-ins, transparent monitoring disclosure prerequisite across