Open Access
The role of the food banks in saving freshwater resources through reducing food waste: the case of the Food Bank of Navarra, Spain
(MDPI, 2022) González Peñalver, José Miguel; Martínez Aldaya, Maite; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In the year 2011, the FAO estimated that food loss and waste reached one third of the total food produced worldwide. Since then, numerous studies have been published characterizing this problem and reflecting on its repercussions, not only social, but also environmental. Food wastage triggers unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation or loss of biodiversity. This study aims to quantify the water-related benefits associated with food loss and waste reduction by studying the Food Bank of Navarra (FBN). For this purpose, the water footprint assessment manual has been followed. First, the water footprint of the activities of the FBN has been analysed for the year 2018 (scenario with the FBN). A comparative analysis has been carried out between the scenario with the FBN and a theoretical scenario without the action of the FBN. This has allowed us to highlight the benefits associated with the activity of this entity. The FBN not only avoided the waste of 2.7 thousand tons of food suitable for consumption in 2018, but also avoided the unnecessary use of more than 3.2 million m3 of freshwater. As a result of the present investigation, it can be stated that promoting food banks, which avoid food waste, would be an effective way to contribute to the protection and conservation of water resources.
Open Access
Food banks against climate change, a solution that works: a case study in Navarra, Spain
(MDPI, 2022) González Peñalver, José Miguel; Armijos Piedra, María Alejandra; Soret Lafraya, Beatriz; Martínez Aldaya, Maite; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Worldwide, more than 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted each year, which is equivalent to releasing 4.4 Gt of CO2 equivalents (CO2e). In this context, the Food Bank of Navarra (FBN) annually avoids the waste of approximately 3000 tons of perfectly consumable food. The aim of this study was twofold: on the one hand, to analyse the carbon footprint of the FBN and, on the other hand, to perform a comparative analysis of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in two scenarios, “with” and “without” the actions of the FBN, in order to identify and quantify the environmental benefits, in terms of GHG emissions reduction, associated with the reduction in food waste. The analyses were conducted in two different years. The carbon footprint associated with the FBN’s activities was 147 t of CO2e in the year 2018. The quantification of GHGs in the scenario “without the FBN” showed that if the FBN did not exist 4715 t of CO2e would have been emitted. The results obtained in consecutive years were similar, highlighting the importance of the FBN—not only in social terms but also environmental terms—as it prevented a large amount of GHGs from being emitted into the atmosphere. A detailed account of the carbon emission reduction associated with the food bank’s operations and the knowledge of the benefits involved could boost their positive effects in facilitating the integration of their activities into policies aimed at climate neutrality.
Open Access
Carbon and water footprints of the revalorisation of glucosinolates from broccoli by-products: case study from Spain
(Elsevier, 2025-05-01) González Peñalver, José Miguel; Martínez Aldaya, Maite; Muez, Ane Maite; Martín-Guindal, Andrea; Beriain Apesteguía, María José; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Ciencias; Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Assessing the costs, benefits, and externalities of circular economy measures from a life cycle perspective is increasingly important for developing sustainable agro-food strategies. This study evaluates the carbon and water implications of revalorising glucosinolates from broccoli by-products through two distinct life-cycle scenarios in a case study conducted in Navarra, Spain. In the first scenario, glucosinolates are obtained from conventional broccoli production, where they are naturally present in the edible inflorescences. The second scenario introduces an innovative step: extracting glucosinolates from otherwise discarded broccoli by-products, such as stalks and inflorescence detachments. Carbon and water footprints were analysed for both scenarios based on the production of 1000 grams of glucosinolates. The results reveal that while the second scenario enhances resource efficiency by utilizing agricultural waste, the environmental costs of the extraction process outweigh the benefits, leading to a 37.6 % increase in greenhouse gas emissions and a 4.6 % rise in water usage compared to the first scenario. To address this, an improvement scenario is proposed, featuring a more efficient use of solvents during extraction, which significantly reduces both emissions and water use. This study underscores that circular economy strategies in agro-food systems do not always translate into environmental benefits accross all resources. A detailed analysis of various carbon and water indicators has provided valuable insights to enhance the environmental performance of such strategies, reinforcing the importance of life-cycle assessments in shaping more effective agro-food policies.
Open Access
Evaluación de la huella hídrica de las actividades del Banco de Alimentos de Navarra
(2021) González Peñalver, José Miguel; Martínez Aldaya, Maite; Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y Biociencias; Nekazaritzako Ingeniaritzako eta Biozientzietako Goi Mailako Eskola Teknikoa
Desde que los datos publicados por la FAO estimaron la pérdida y desperdicio de alimentos, en un tercio del total producido a nivel mundial en el año 2011, este problema ha supuesto un objetivo de mejora crucial, cuya solución podría ayudar a países desarrollados y en vías de desarrollo, a mejorar la sostenibilidad de la cadena alimentaria mundial. Numerosos estudios han sido publicados, tratando de caracterizar este problema y reflejar su repercusión, no solo social, sino medioambiental, por la influencia de este despilfarro de alimentos en los consumos innecesarios de energía, liberación de gases de efecto invernadero, deforestación, pérdida de biodiversidad, etc. El presente estudio aborda la relación entre la pérdida y desperdicio de alimentos y su impacto en los recursos hídricos. Para ello se ha analizado la huella hídrica de las actividades del Banco de Alimentos de Navarra y se ha ejercido un análisis comparativo con un escenario teórico sin la acción del BAN, permitiendo resaltar los beneficios asociados a la actividad de esta entidad, que no solo evitó el desperdicio de 2.7 mil toneladas de alimentos aptos para consumo en 2018, sino que evitó el uso innecesario de más de 3.2 millones de m3 de agua dulce.

González Peñalver, José Miguel

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