Surplus food donation: Effectiveness, carbon footprint, and rebound effect

Surplus food redistribution can be a way to relieve co-existing insecurity and waste. The waste hierarchy ranks surplus donations for human consumption as the next best strategy, when cannot prevented. However, effectiveness of donation in terms amount consumed, or management measure have rarely been assessed. few studies conducted date report substantial environmental savings, but results may sensitive assumptions regarding substituted food. Rebound effects are also not included, likely offset savings from donation. Therefore, this study investigated effectiveness, carbon footprint, rebound effect system run by charity Sweden, compared with those anaerobic digestion. Multiple analytical methods were used, including material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, questionnaire, 24-hour dietary recall. In footprint products credited overall using expansion. addition, direct indirect associated re-spending substitution-related monetary included. revealed complex effective network aimed at salvaging much redistributed possible, 78% eaten, there was effect, offsetting 51% potential emissions Nonetheless, net result almost twice climate benefit digestion (-0.40 vs. -0.22 kg CO2e/FU), supporting hierarchy.