Exploring the Factors Driving Household Food Waste

Sammanfattning: Food waste is a global concern with significant environmental, economic, and social implications. Despite efforts to address the issue, household-level food waste remains substantial, contributing to food insecurity and environmental degradation. This study aims to explore factors triggering food waste behavior within households and examines how grocery retailers can nudge consumers toward environmentally sustainable food waste practices. A qualitative research design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with 20 participants in Sweden responsible for food management. Thematic analysis of interview recordings revealed key findings. Participants' food waste awareness centered on economic concerns, with limited consideration for environmental and social impacts. Planning emerged as a crucial aspect of food waste reduction, highlighting the need for tools like shopping lists. Additionally, conscious shopping habits were associated with reduced food waste, regardless of frequency or bulk purchasing tendencies. The practical implications for retailers include raising awareness through educational campaigns, integrating waste reduction messages into marketing materials, and providing inventory management tools and personalized shopping lists. Retailers can further support sustainable food waste behavior by offering recipe suggestions and workshops on food disposal or repurposing. Implementing these strategies can contribute to more sustainable food waste practices.