A Circular Food Economy Multicriteria Decision Problem Based on the Fitradeoff Method

Abstract

The Circular Food Economy is a recent concept referred to co-creative food ecosystems where stakeholders from different echelons work together to improve the chain by using circular economy solutions for managing food loss and waste while increasing stakeholders' income and reducing the environmental affectation. There is a lack of quantitative information on what should be prioritized when designing circular options considering the actors' preferences. This study presents an application of the FITradeoff method within the Agri-Food Supply Chain in a multicriteria decision problem of ranking circular economy initiatives using six criteria (CO 2 generation, blue-water usage, land usage efficiency, social impact, income, and implementation) and nine hypothetical alternatives artificially created from available data. It explores information regarding preferable alternatives for householders. The results are considered a quantitative starting point for collecting consumers' preferences as a basis for further research to refine such circular initiatives into more beneficial and attractive ones.