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Food Waste as a Classic Problem that Calls for Interdisciplinary Solutions: A Case Study Illustration
Author(s) -
Saber Deborah A.,
Silka Linda
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/josi.12372
Subject(s) - sustainability , work (physics) , discipline , active listening , stakeholder , stakeholder engagement , engineering ethics , food systems , food waste , sociology , political science , engineering , public relations , food security , agriculture , social science , waste management , mechanical engineering , ecology , communication , biology
In 2015, the United States generated over 250 million tons of municipal solid waste. Of this, food products comprised nearly 15% of this waste. Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gasses and subsequent climate change. Ongoing examination from the vantage of multiple academic disciplines is needed to understand and work toward solutions for this “wicked” problem. The University of Maine's interdisciplinary Materials Management team, composed of a psychologist, nurse scientist, environmental/civil engineer, anthropologist, food scientist, and economist, works to examine and guide food waste solutions. Strategies to achieve successful interdisciplinary approaches for addressing sustainability problems include authentic listening, stakeholder engagement, and student participation. For example, the work of the psychologist brings attitude/behavior/organizational understanding and expertise to the interdisciplinary team with aims to implement strategies for outcome‐oriented solutions. Overcoming disciplinary language barriers and securing interdisciplinary grant funding are examples of challenges that must be addressed if interdisciplinary teams are to succeed.