To achieve the goal of reducing consumer-related food waste in developed countries, it is necessary to have an in-depth understanding of the factors shaping food waste, both in the household as well as at the point of purchase. Despite a growing number of studies on the subject, especially in recent years, the evidence on drivers of food waste and barriers to its reduction is somewhat conflicting. The current paper contributes to existing knowledge on food waste behaviour at the consumer level, providing original results from a direct survey conducted with a sample randomly selected in southern Italy to reveal consumer awareness, concerns and intentions towards food waste and to ascertain the existence of different consumer profiles with similar food waste behaviour. Since southern Italian regions have been shown to produce lower levels of food waste than regions in northern Italy, an in-depth analysis of the drivers behind food waste in this area could be considered an interesting case study. Our findings showed the existence of several consumer behaviour profiles that influenced household food waste generation. Strategies to reduce waste should take such differences into account in order to promote changes in food waste behaviour.

The evolution of Industry 4.0 and the emerging paradigm of Industry 5.0 have introduced disruptive technologies that are reshaping modern manufacturing environments. Among these, Digital Twin (DT) and Industrial Metaverse (IM) technologies are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). However, a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies integrate to support OHS in manufacturing remains limited. This study systematically explores the transformative role of DT and IM in creating immersive, intelligent, and human-centric safety ecosystems. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 75 peer-reviewed studies from the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases was conducted. The review identifies key enabling technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), and Collaborative Robots (COBOTS), and highlights their applications in real-time monitoring, immersive safety training, and predictive hazard mitigation. A conceptual framework is proposed, illustrating a synergistic digital ecosystem that integrates predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and immersive training to enhance the OHS. The findings highlight both the transformative benefits and the key adoption challenges of these technologies, including technical complexities, data security, privacy, ethical concerns, and organizational resistance. This study provides a foundational framework for future research and practical implementation in Industry 5.0.

The textile industry is among the most environmentally impactful sectors, underscoring the urgency of transitioning to circular economy models. This study examines the development of a digital-driven circular ecosystem for the Italian textile sector, leveraging insights from a comprehensive survey on sustainable practices. By analyzing material flows and identifying inefficiencies, the research proposes an integrated framework to enhance sustainability across the supply chain. Key indicators are established to monitor environmental, economic, and social impacts, offering a practical tool for decision-making. The findings reveal how scenario-based approaches and targeted strategies can empower Italian textile companies to adopt circular practices effectively. This work lays the groundwork for a robust ecological transition, fostering both environmental sustainability and competitive advantage in the global market.