Circular Food Systems : A content and discourse analysis of the Swedish case

Sammanfattning: As most sectors today, the food sector is discussing how it can contribute towards a more sustainable society. One model that has received increased attention over the last decade is the circular economy (CE). It has been proposed as an alternative to our current linear economy where waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated and is proposed as a framework that can be followed to contribute to a sustainable development within many sectors, the food sector being one of them. The aim of this study was to identify the current discourse regarding the CE at a micro level in the Swedish food sector, throughout the entire value chain, as well as map the trajectories outlined for circularity in the sector. This was done through a content analysis of Swedish magazines and media articles discussing the subject over the last five years. The study found stakeholders from the entire value chain working with initiatives related to the CE with processing companies being the most common stakeholder group. The actors mainly propose or implement ideas based on the waste hierarchy with reuse and recycling of food waste and packaging being the most common initiatives. The food sector expects circularity to lead to reduced emissions, increased self sufficiency, economic gains, and increased sustainability in general. The findings led to four narratives being formed: Circular economy as a way to combat food waste, Circular economy as a way to combat plastic packaging waste, Circular economy as a business opportunity, and Circular Economy as a net good for sustainability issues.