Backcasting to identify food waste prevention and mitigation opportunities for infant feeding in maternity services

Abstract

Food waste in hospitals is of major concern for two reasons: one, healthcare needs to move toward preventative and demand led models for sustainability and two, food system sustainability needs to seek preventative measures such as diet adaptation and waste prevention. The impact of breast-milk substitute use on health services are well established in literature in terms of healthcare implications, cost and resourcing, however as a food demand and waste management issue little has been published to date. This paper presents the use of a desk based backcasting method to analyse food waste prevention, mitigation and management options within the Irish Maternity Service. Best practice in healthcare provision and waste management regulations are used to frame solutions. Strategic problem orientation revealed that 61% of the volume of ready to use breast-milk substitutes purchased by maternity services remains unconsumed and ends up as waste. Thirteen viable strategies to prevent and manage this waste were identified. Significant opportunities exist to prevent waste and also decrease food demand leading to both positive health and environmental outcomes. Backcasting methods display great promise in delivering food waste management strategies in healthcare settings, especially where evidenced best practice policies exist to inform solution forming processes. In terms of food waste prevention and management, difficulties arise in distinguishing between demand reduction, waste prevention and waste reduction measures under the current Waste Management Hierarchy definitions. Ultimately demand reduction at source requires prioritisation, a strategy which is complimentary to health policy on infant feeding.

Sustainable Breastfeeding: A State-of-the Art Review

“…To reduce greenhouse gas emissions permanently, a redesign of vital policies toward greener economies is needed. Some suggestions made in the reviewed articles included using renewable energy sources to manufacture the artificial milk formula needed for specific purposes (Long et al, 2021), and reusing ready-to-use artificial milk formula waste from hospitals for animal feed and on-site and off-site composting (Ryan-Fogarty et al, 2017). However, the most direct solution for sustaining the environment is the promotion of breastfeeding exclusivity for the recommended duration and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond.…”

Oxylipins as Potential Regulators of Inflammatory Conditions of Human Lactation

“…Growing evidence also indicates that breastfeeding results in maternal health benefits, including reduced risk of breast cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in later life [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In addition to the profound health benefits for mothers and infants, higher breastfeeding rates in the United States and globally would lower the negative economic impacts of high medical costs [ 8 ] and reduce the inherent food waste and energy usage associated with infant formula production and feeding [ 9 , 10 ].…”

Food Waste as a Classic Problem that Calls for Interdisciplinary Solutions: A Case Study Illustration

“…Research related to specific segments of food waste (e.g., reduction and reuse) adds disconnected pieces to the growing knowledge (Ryan-Fogarty, Becker, Moles, & O'Regan, 2017). However, food waste is what has been termed a "wicked" problem-that is, a problem that is interconnected, multifaceted, illdefined, and dynamic, and thus calls for solutions that are themselves interconnected (Rittel & Webber, 1973).…”