Economic development and human ties in informal food waste recycling: A follow-up study in Da Nang, Vietnam

Abstract

This study examined the effects of economic development on the commercialised and non-commercialised segments of informal food waste recycling in Da Nang City, Vietnam. Food waste was collected from the urban centre and used as pig feed in swine farms in suburban areas. The commercialised and non-commercialised segments of this system have evolved differently over time. During our observation period of 2011–2016, swine farmers became concerned about economic efficiency, which affected the manner in which they used food waste. By 2016, more farmers had begun to use food waste brokers instead of collecting food waste themselves so that they could concentrate on rearing pigs. The price of food waste remained low, reflecting the farmers’ need for low-cost feeding. This resulted in the closure of commercialised transactions between households and waste collectors amid increased household income. Instead, non-commercialised transactions supported by human ties became the main mode of household participation in food waste recycling . Our findings can guide the use of different elements in this informal recycling system within the framework of a formalised recycling system implemented by the government.