Food Waste Management in Denmark

This article discusses the significance of food waste management in Denmark and proposes effective strategies to reduce it. It covers market analysis, research questions, and data collection methods. The study uses a qualitative research design and collects primary and secondary data from various sources. The research aims to identify the most effective approaches to implement food waste management in Denmark.

FOOD WASTE MANAGEMNET IN DENMARK 1
FOOD WASTE MANAGEMNET IN DENMARK
By (Name)
Course
Instructor’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
The City and State
The Date

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Table of Contents
Background to the problem........................................................................................................3
Management problem.................................................................................................................3
Demand of the market................................................................................................................4
Market analysis..........................................................................................................................5
Research question.......................................................................................................................5
Research objective.....................................................................................................................5
Sources of data for the research.................................................................................................9
Conceptualisation and measurement........................................................................................10
Data collection/generation methods.........................................................................................10
Gantt chart................................................................................................................................12
Ethical issues and limitations of the proposed research...........................................................13
Limitations of research.............................................................................................................14
Proposed time frame and budget of the research.....................................................................14
References................................................................................................................................15

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Background to the problem
Food being the essential component for the survival of human existence is the most
powerful and growing industry around the world. Food not only provides the energy and
nutrition but also allow us to grow and remain healthy. In the last few decades, the industrial
food waste has been recognising as a significant issue of nutritional, social and environmental
problems. With a total population of about 5.4 million, a stable business environment,
Denmark is one of the highly developed countries. Copenhagen, capital of Denmark alone
has 20% of total population of Denmark. Denmark being a highly developed country, people
there are too busy and due to busy lifestyle they want to keep themselves physically fit and
healthy. In Danish society the importance can be demonstrated with the spending of
households over DKK 88,000 million in a year only on food and the agro-chain sector, from
production to retail, has a total turnover of DKK 162,000 million in a year (Napier &
Bjerregaard, 2014). The whole process of the industry in Denmark only emits the largest
amount of greenhouse gases, with a significant 7%of total CO2 emission, and if this food is
not consumed then the resources used for this much production are wasted. All this has to be
controlled with some effective way because if this wastage in food industry is not reducing
then there will be a huge problem of lack of resources along with some environmental and
social problems. This reduction of food waste can be achieved by different means but among
all these means prevention is the best solution. Prevention will reduce the food waste and as
well as the resources too (Affald & Spild, 2017).

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Management problem
In the last five years Denmark has become one of the leading European countries to
fight for the food waste prevention. And the Danish Government has credited a woman,
Selina Juul, who came from Russia, for her efforts to reduce the food waste by 25% in
Denmark (Rodionova, 2017). To get some effective means for the reduction of over all food
waste in Denmark the management of food industry has to analyse the root of the problem.
This analysis will require the whole food chain analysis from production to the retail services.
For this management has to collect some statistical and study data in terms of primary
information and secondary data. This whole process will require the research to be conducted
different major sectors responsible for the overall wastage of food which are processing,
wholesale & retail, food service and Household sector. All these sectors are equally
responsible for the total food waste. Therefore, all the primary and secondary data has to be
collected for the individual sector in order to get the complete understanding of the problem.
Further after collecting the required date management has to decide the suitable type of
methodology for the research (Nielsen, 2017). This methodology can be one of the below
stated two kinds of researches:
 Quantitative research
 Qualitative research
After this, management has to make some really important decisions for the selection
of the suitable method to conduct the research or study. The management has to decide its
strategy and planning to conduct the study in such a way that the adopted method must be
adoptable by the company and the outcome the study must be beneficial for the company
(Hesse-Biber, 2015). To conduct an effective market research, management has to investigate
the following factors about the new product in market:

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Demand of the market
This study will help the management to get the actual demand of the market which is
important to control the extra and unnecessary production of the food
Market analysis
In this particular management has to subgroup the market for its product by
distinguishing the gender, personality and choice of the consumers and then management has
to supply the quantity of different types of food according to the consumption by different
segments of the market
Research question
The above research problem leads us to get some answers to deal with the
management problems:
 What is the actual demand for food?
 What is the demand for individual cuisine in the market?
 What is the supply chain process of different products?
 Which food is loved most by the market?
 What is the supply for individual food?
Research objective
From the above research problem we derived some objectives to complete the
research in an effective approach. This research problem provides the following objectives:
 To assess the activities responsible for the wastage of food and identify
the nature and amount of the waste production.

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 To identify and evaluate the food waste prevention in different sectors
responsible for the major food waste production.
 To recommend the effective and suitable management to reduce
wastage production.
 To consider different food waste minimizing methods and identify the
good practise for the same (Carraresi & Banterle, 2015).
3. Literature review
The notion of food waste and the subsequent management strategies is a detailed and
yet highly grave. It implicates the complex and equally incongruous systems of both waste
processing as well as food production. An investigation of the processes of food waste
management in Denmark discloses a unique and emerging category (Engstrom and Kanyama
2004). This emerging category has been lodged between the deliberations of production as
well as consumption. It is this dimension which helps bridge the gap between what is
produced and the manner of treatment of what remains. It follows the process explaining the
trends from food production to either waste or consumption (Gray etal.2008). The process
also includes analysis of what happens in the process in regard to the ways in which food is
managed, treated as well as transported. It could also get spoiled in the course of the cross
country journey (Nahman and Lange 2013). There is also the possibility for expiration at the
supermarket or even lost within the fridge. There is also the potential for it to be left on the
plate uneaten in spite of it being prepared for easting. Much of all that wasted food will in the
long run make its way to a landfill (Napier & Bjerregaard, 2014)
The current ideology concerning food waste in the Denmark vindicates the need for
the country’s refuse to be concealed from view within sites that are most visible to most
urban residents (Pretty 2011). However, as poverty continues to affect most Danish people,

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natural resources become depleted. The depletion of natural resources leads to the suffering
of agricultural as well as financial systems. It subsequently becomes clear that the need for
reduction in food waste could alleviate the huger problem (Adhikari etal.2008). It would also
significantly lessen the impacts of the environment while also shrinking the escalating heap
of waste. It would also create much more stability in terms of the equitability in the supply of
food (Nemecek 2016). Food waste has over the years slowly but steadily gained momentum
as a fundamental issue. This has particularly been more pronounced in cities where it impacts
as well as volumes are more pronounced that in less densely populated settlements. There is
not much dispute in regard to the degree of urgency on the need to address the issue of food
waste management as well as the associated implications (Schmidt et al. 2015)
Important to note is the fact that, whereas scholarly sources recognize the issue of
food waste management as a genuinely legitimate concern, the methods applied as well as the
suggested propositions in the presentations of the topic do vary on the basis of whether food
waste management is being contextualised as an environmental, economic or even social
issue (Khalid et al 2011). There a possibility for the presentations various angles
simultaneously. It would therefore become clear through the conduct of research (Petersen et
al. 2014). It would also be important that an evaluation is done to verify the sources that food
waste is indeed a tripartite- bottom line concern that necessitates immediate attention and
insight from an extensive continuum of stakeholders (Schmidt etal.2014). As much as there is
an inherent interconnection, the economic as well as social analyses of food waste usually has
its foundations based upon a stable environmental structure (Bolzonella 2007). When defined
as an environmentally related issue, it is important that the volume of food wasted is
considered (Kummu et al. 2012). It should also consider the amount of excessive
consumption of the resources such as water, land, energy and many others used in the
production of the food that is hardly consumed (Affald & Spild, 2017

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When viewed from an economic angle, it focuses on the analysis of the monetary
value associated with the food wasted as well as the inefficiencies currently prevailing within
the food system (Petersen 2015). The socially related perspective has its emphasis on the
need to put in place mechanisms whose focus is on the greater food recovery. As much all
these assumptions seem distinct, analyses of food waste do always provide a unique linkage
for the all the above mentioned factors. This linkage is particularly true when they are
presented in non-academic sources (Oosterveer and David 2011).
Research Design
The literature review has produced reoccurring themes whose emphasis is on the
importance of Food Waste Management. Food waste management as has been noted in the
literature review is critically important aspect in the assessment of the activities responsible
for the wastage of food. To be able to analyse and answer the questions posed in the research
study, the study proposes the use of both the qualitative design (Brown 2010). The
qualitative design was used because it helps in creating a platform for actual understanding of
the informants’ behaviour and overall conduct in regard to food waste management. It is also
descriptive or exploratory in nature which will help to ensure that the significance of the
context as well as the waste food management frame work is appropriately illustrated (Bloom
2007). The qualitative research deign as noted will involve the use of interviews and
development of survey. These have been chosen for use in this research because they will
help facilitate the gathering of more gather more data of qualitative nature than the
quantitative data. For that matter, the research proposes the preparation of a 26 interview
questions questionnaire (Frankel 2005). The reason for this is for the study to be able to
comprehend any particular behaviour for food wastage. This would help the study to identify
the appropriate food waste management technique. Before the start of the interview sessions,

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the study proposes that the respondents are encouraged to answer honestly in light of the
discovery that respondent’s associate “waste” with a negative implication.
Sources of data for the research
Primary data used in the study is to be gathered through the use of questionnaires.
The study also focuses on the use of secondary data. This is acquired through sources such as
magazines, reports, books, journals and many more sources. It will also include data collected
from food manufacturers as well as grocery retailers or wholesalers. The other source of the
primary data included statistics from food companies in Denmark (Nair 2005). It also
included data from employees, dealers and customers of the food waste management
companies. The collection of the primary and secondary data was specifically aimed at
ensuring that every aspect of the study is covered. Primary data focuses on the examination of
the behaviour as well as responses of customers, dealers as well as employees. On the other
hand the secondary data collected has its focus on analysis of food waste management
agencies’ operational procedures. The data attained from both sets of method is used in
combination as per the study’s objectives. There is a high level of reliability anticipated in the
data collected since there are different data collection methods used and they are compared
against each other.
Conceptualisation and measurement.
This research undertaking will use a qualitative research design. The analysis will be
focused on addressing research questions developed within the study scope. The research
questions will include
What are the most effective approaches in the implementation of food waste
management?

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The above research question will be subdivided into the following research sub
questions.
• What is the actual demand for food?
• What is the demand for individual cuisine in the market?
• What is the supply chain process of different products?
• Which food is loved most by the market?
• What is the supply for individual food?
Data collection/generation methods
For data collection, a number of data collection methods have been used. These
include instruments such as Questionnaire. A set of questioners have been distributed to
various groups and answers collected in regard to the topic of waste food management. The
Questionnaire provides a vital instrument through which statements can be made on different
groups of the study population. To ensure that the questionnaire developed as appropriate and
capable of capturing the information intended, a pre-test was done amongst the smaller
subgroups of the targeted population. A survey was also chosen for use because it helps in the
collection of the data which is appropriate to the study. The other reason for its choice is to
ensure to create avenues in which data can be compared and also make it responsive to
analysis. It was also chosen for its ability to minimise prejudice in the formulation as well as
asking of the questions. For this study, the questions have been prepared to meet the purpose
of the study. It is expected that they will be helpful in the collection of information which
relates to the study topic. The structured questionnaire was used to include various categories
of information including the closed ended as well as the open ended ones. The study engaged

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the use of devices such as office telephone, the mobile phones, as well as facsimile as well as
other devices. These were used to make it possible to collect data on verbal basis. The
application of these techniques as well as the interviewer’s makes is possible for the sampled
persons to be able to respond and thereby making it possible to attain higher rates of
responses. Moreover, the use of online and direct interviewers enhances the level of
comprehension of the question since the interviewer can answer the respondent’s questions.
Data analysis.
To commence the data analysis process, the study used descriptive statistics. These
are to be calculated to provide a summary and description of the data collected. The results of
the survey are measured by classification. The responses to the items in the survey are to be
coded from 1 to 4 depending on the degree of significance of every item. 1 will represent not
significant, while 2 will represent slightly significant. On the other hand 3 will represent
‘significant’ while 4 will represent ‘very significant’. The code for all the items of the survey
within a given category will be added together for a composite score within every category.
The category composite score will be used for statistical analysis. The analysis of the items
will be conducted for the purpose of determining the internal consistency as well as reliability
for every single item and every subscale. The study will use Cronbach’s Alpha technique for
the examination of the internal consistency (Fleming 2003). The study will make use of the
inferential statistics to attain conclusions and subsequently make generalisations in regard to
the populations characteristics. This would be based on the unique characteristics of the
sampled population. Frequencies as well as percentages will be used for the identification of
the demand for individual cuisine in the market, the actual demand for food, the supply chain
process of different products, food loved by most people in the market and also the supply for
individual food. The study will also use independent t-tests as well as simple investigation of

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variance (ANOVA). This will be used to look for the significant differences in the various
variables. This particular type of test will be used to answer particular research questions as
named above. To conduct an in-depth and rigorous data analysis, SPSS will be used.
Gantt chart
The flowing is an illustration of the various stages through which the study will
undergo until it’s completed. The chart shows research activities to be undertaken from the
first to the 1st week to the 6th week when the research project will be accomplished.
Table 1 Gantt chart
Ethical issues and limitations of the proposed research.
In this research, there are five ethical concerns which will be put into consideration and they
include; analysing and reporting, identifying purpose and sponsor, voluntary participation,
anonymity and confidentiality and no harm to respondent (Kellenberg 2012). While carrying
out this research, getting the best explanation on how to eliminate or control any ethical

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issues each of these guidelines was addressed individually. Although voluntary participation
can at a certain time have conflicting loyalty with the need to have a high response rate,
researchers made sure that participation in any interview is voluntary. Multiple contacts were
however suggested by Dillman for a high response rate to be encouraged due to low return
rates. Per potential participant in this sturdy, up to five contacts were made. In addition, to
inform possible participants of how important and justified the sturdy and verifying the email
address is done by the first email contact which is sent a few days preceding the survey.
However, the study objective was more explained in depth using the second email contact
since it was the actual email cover letter (Zikmund etal.2013). To remind those who had not
responded the third email contact was sent a week later. After actual survey reemphasizing
the significance of faculty expertise in providing input to the study, the fourth email contact
was then sent two weeks later. After the actual survey email to inform faculty that the study
was drawing to a close and that their input was valuable to the results of the study, the fifth
email was therefore sent on the third week. It should be noted that, participants are have
rights to withdraw from the study at any stage if they wished although participation in the
research voluntarily is significant. Additional, it’s on the basis of informed consent that a
participant or a respondent should participate. As far as the formulation of research
questionnaires, focus group and interview is concerned, it should be noted that the use of
offensive, discriminatory, or other unacceptable language needs to be avoided. Hence, there
is paramount significance in the anonymity and privacy of the respondents.
Limitations of research
The first limitation to a research is language barrier, this happens in a situation where the
researcher cannot speak the same language with the respondents. In this case, the researcher
is forced to look for a respondent who can be able to understand the language they are all

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conversant with. In addition, accessibility to resources, that is in case the research requires
the researcher to have access to the respondent, data and other raw material for the research
to be carried out but it becomes hard to have access to such things hence limitation of the
research. Some people are bias as far as their culture is concerned hence the correspondent
might find it in appropriate to answer certain question because of their cultural norms hence
limitation of the research
Proposed time frame and budget of the research.
It is expected that the research will be conducted within a period of 6 weeks. The following
costs are expected to be incurred over course of project completion.
Research fees amount
expenses
data collection $ 200.00
other direct project costs $ 400.00
travels/ transportation $ 100.00
software purchase $ 50.00
overhead $ 40.00
Total budget $ 790.00
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