Option and effort for decentralized food waste management

Food waste management is critical to achieving environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social equity. Centralized and decentralized systems offer distinct advantages and limitations depending on geographical and socio-economic contexts. This paper explores various household and community-level composting techniques as viable decentralized solutions, including black soldier fly larvae composting, Bokashi, and vermicomposting with the top-down and bottom-up approaches. It also examines the interplay between top-down government policy and bottom-up community and market-driven initiatives in the management. Human behaviour is a critical factor. Furthermore, food systems and their associated waste must be viewed holistically to address root causes. The study concludes that an integrated approach, combining regulatory support with grassroots participation, is essential for long-term effectiveness in food waste reduction.