RISE: Modular Blockchain-Integrated Enhancements for Reducing Food Waste and Boosting Retail Accountability

Abstract

Effective management of semi-perishable food items is essential for minimising waste, maintaining food safety, and supporting sustainability efforts. This paper introduces the Responsibility Index for Sustainability and Efficiency (RISE), a set of modular components designed to seamlessly integrate with existing invoicing systems and enhance their performance by improving transparency, accountability, and waste management practices in retail stores. Semi-perishable food items, such as flour, bread, packaged meals, and beverages made from unprocessed grains, have a shorter shelf life than their raw counterparts, which can be stored for longer periods before processing. Ineffective management of these items often results in wastage and inflates the prices of raw materials due to imbalanced demand. Our solution holds retailers accountable for their role in demand creation and food waste by integrating a Responsibility Index Score, encouraging them to optimise their product offerings and reduce waste. These modules enhance consumption practices, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). They also help build consumer trust and reinforce retail stores' economic and social accountability. The modular approach ensures adaptability and ease of adoption across various invoicing platforms without requiring a complete system overhaul. © 2025 IEEE.