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Professor

Weslynne Ashton

Professor Weslynne Ashton is a sustainable systems scientist, whose research, teaching and practice are oriented around transitioning our socio-ecological systems towards sustainability and equity. She studies the adoption of socially and environmentally responsible strategies in business, and the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing social and environmental challenges. Her research is grounded in industrial ecology and the circular economy. Her current work focuses on increasing sustainability and equity in urban food systems, and developing regenerative economies in post-industrial regions, newly industrializing countries and small island states.

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Contributor Brief·Weslynne Ashton · 1 article
Updated Sep 20, 2023

Regulatory alignment, not technology alone, solves food waste

Ashton argues that food waste reduction efforts fail because they focus on technology and individual action while ignoring local regulatory fragmentation. Meaningful progress requires deliberate collaboration between waste-reduction initiatives and the local government bodies that actually enforce food safety and disposal standards.

1 in 3

food produced in America is wasted annually

“Local regulatory alignment emerges as the critical missing piece in efforts to combat America's escalating food waste crisis.”

To Reduce Food Waste, Collaboration and Partnerships with Local Regulators is a Must

Barriers to food waste reduction success

Lack of local regulatory coordination9
Technology adoption without policy alignment7
Absence of cross-sector partnerships8

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38%Lack of
Lack of local regulatory coordination
Technology adoption without policy alignment
Absence of cross-sector partnerships

Engineering and construction sector

requires regulatory framework redesign for waste infrastructure

Partnerships with local regulators must precede, not follow, implementation of waste-reduction systems.

To Reduce Food Waste, Collaboration and Partnerships with Local Regulators is a Must

Without regulatory buy-in, even the most innovative waste solutions remain isolated pilot projects.

To Reduce Food Waste, Collaboration and Partnerships with Local Regulators is a Must

“Regulators are gatekeepers; treating them as obstacles guarantees failure at scale.”

Themes:Regulatory alignment as prerequisite for scaleCross-sector collaboration over isolated innovationLocal governance frameworks as infrastructure for impact

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