Food Waste Management and Donation

Abstract

Food waste is a pressing global issue. Every day, enormous quantities of edible food are discarded by restaurants, canteens, weddings, and other events, while millions of people go without a single meal due to poverty or lack of access. Bridging this gap requires a smarter, more connected approach. The Food Waste Management and Donation System (FWMDS) is a web and mobile platform designed to do exactly that — it links people who have surplus food with those who need it. The platform features two separate login portals: one for donors and one for recipients. Donors can post details about available food, including the type, quantity, and pickup location, while recipients can browse nearby listings and submit requests directly through the system. An interactive map enhances the experience by using color-coded markers: red indicates areas of frequent food need, green marks active food requests, and blue shows the user’s current position. When a request is made, the system automatically notifies the donor so that both parties can coordinate a handover. By facilitating real-time communication and ensuring surplus food reaches people before it spoils, the FWMDS serves as a practical, technology-driven solution to hunger and food waste. [1].

Introduction

Food waste is a major global issue, with large amounts of edible food discarded while many people face hunger. Traditional donation methods are inefficient, slow, and lack coordination, creating a gap between food surplus and those in need.

The proposed Food Waste Management and Donation System (FWMDS) is a web-based platform designed to bridge this gap using digital technology. It connects food donors (restaurants, households, event organizers) with recipients through features like GPS tracking, an interactive map, and real-time messaging. Users can list available food with details such as type, quantity, and location, while recipients can easily find and request nearby donations.

A key feature is the map-based interface with color-coded markers: red for high-demand areas, green for active requests, and blue for the user’s location. This helps users quickly understand food availability and need. Real-time notifications and messaging improve coordination and reduce delays.

The system integrates multiple technologies—GPS, map visualization, and communication tools—into a single platform, addressing limitations of earlier solutions that lacked full integration. It uses algorithms for authentication, location detection, request matching, and notifications to ensure efficient operation.

Overall, the platform provides an end-to-end, user-friendly solution that reduces food waste, improves distribution efficiency, and helps combat hunger at the community level.

Conclusion

The Food Waste Management and Donation System represents a meaningful step forward in tackling one of the world’s most pervasive problems — food waste — while simultaneously supporting those who face food insecurity. By making it simple for restaurants, canteens, event organizers, and households to donate surplus food, the system turns what would otherwise be waste into a lifeline for people in need. Built on GPS tracking, color-coded map visualization, and real-time messaging, the platform is designed to be intuitive and accessible for users of all backgrounds. The platform’s dual-role structure caters to both donors and recipients. Donors can post food details — including the type, quantity, availability window, and location — which are stored in the database and shown on the map using color-coded markers. Recipients can browse these listings in real time, identify donations near them, and submit requests directly through the system. When a request is made, the donor receives an instant notification with the recipient’s details and needs, enabling swift and direct communication between both parties. Testing demonstrated that the system works effectively under real-world conditions. The GPS and map components help users locate food quickly, the messaging system facilitates prompt communication, and the platform handles concurrent users without performance degradation. Completed donations are automatically removed from the map and recorded in the database, preventing duplicate requests and giving administrators a reliable view of where food assistance is most needed. Beyond logistics, the system carries real social impact. By ensuring that food reaches people before it spoils, it actively reduces environmental harm while supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. Donors gain an easy, reliable channel to share what they have, and recipients benefit from faster access to food. It is a compelling demonstration of how thoughtfully designed technology can address complex social challenges. Looking ahead, there is considerable scope to enhance the platform further. Deeper integration with charities and non-governmental organizations could extend its reach, while the addition of automated logistics, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence could make food distribution smarter and more proactive — anticipating demand before shortages occur and minimizing spoilage. The data generated by the system could also provide valuable insights to governments and policy makers working on food security and sustainability. In conclusion the Food Waste Management and Donation System is a scalable and socially impactful solution for managing extra food and helping people in need. By combining location-based services, interactive maps, real-time messages and efficient management the system ensures food donations are delivered on time, minimizes waste, and contributes to a healthier environment. This project demonstrates the power of technology to drive meaningful social change and lays a strong foundation for future innovations in food waste management and community support. [10].

References

[1] Liu Wei et al., Digital Technologies for Sustainable Food Waste Management, Environmental Research Journal. [2] Rahul Gupta et al., Web-Based Food Donation Platform for Reducing Food Waste, International Journal of Computer Science. [3] Thi Ngoc Bao Dung et al., Smart Food Sharing System Using Mobile Application, International Journal of Computer Applications. [4] Abdelrahman M. Elshimy et al., Food Waste Management Using Cloud-Based Platforms, IEEE Conference on Smart Cities. [5] S. Kumar and R. Singh, GPS-Based Food Donation System Using Mobile Technology, International Journal of Engineering Research. [6] Anita Sharma et al., Mobile Application for Food Donation and Request Management, IEEE International Conference on Smart Systems. [7] Karthik R et al., Map-Based Food Donation System Using Location Services, International Journal of Computer Applications. [8] S. Narayanan et al., Intelligent Food Waste Management System Using Mobile Technology, IEEE International Conference on Smart Applications. [9] M. Ahsan et al., Food Recovery Systems for Sustainable Food Distribution, Journal of Environmental Management. [10] Priya Nair et al., Food Donation Application with Donor and Receiver Modules, International Conference on Software Engineering.

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Hariharan S, Gowtham J, Vimala Imogen P. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.