How Responsible Are Consumers?

2022 ◽  
pp. 219-230
Author(s):  
Namita Kapoor
Keyword(s):  
Social Issue ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Environmental Economic ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Growing Population

One of the most important concern the economies are facing is food security amidst the growing population. The population growth has exerted tremendous pressure on food security and has raised concerns over food sustainability. The sustainability of food waste is an environmental, economic, and social issue, which has useful policy implications. The issue has been studied through the analysis of responsible consumption and food waste. The literature has emphasised improving the efficiency in supply chain to reduce food waste, but researches on food waste at the consumer level are still in the natal stage. It is important to understand to develop the framework for responsible consumption and to assess the factors that may contribute to reduction in food waste at the household level. The study aims to examine the scope of responsible consumption to attain environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals What Nudge Techniques Work for Food Waste Behaviour Change at the Consumer Level? A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 11099
Author(s):  
Hannah Barker ◽  
Peter J. Shaw ◽  
Beth Richards ◽  
Zoe Clegg ◽  
Dianna Smith
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Food Waste Recycling

In European countries over 40% of food loss and waste occurs at the retail and consumer stages; this situation cannot be sustained and remediation is urgently needed; opportunities for change must be created. “Nudge” techniques have been shown to be effective in changing behaviour in areas related to food consumption (e.g., healthy diet), but the effectiveness of interventions using nudge techniques to change food waste behaviours remains unclear, despite a growing body of research. The aim of this review is to elucidate means to change household food waste behaviour using nudge approaches and identify priority needs for further research. Four databases, grey literature and reference lists were searched systematically to identify relevant research on nudges to change food waste behaviours. This search identified sixteen peer-reviewed research articles and two grey literature reports that were critically appraised using a critical appraisal checklist framework for descriptive/case series. Four studies deemed reliable show interventions using nudges of social norms, reminders or social norms with disclosure were effective in changing food waste behaviours at the household level, while disclosure alone, i.e., revealing environmental costs of food waste, was not. This review, unique in the application of a critical appraisal, suggests there is reliable information on the effectiveness of nudge for food waste recycling interventions when incorporating nudges of social norms, reminders or disclosure alongside use of social norms. If food waste recycling behaviour is considered an upstream measure to raise consumers’ consciousness on the amount of food waste they produce, this may have a positive impact on food waste reduction and therefore has important policy implications for food waste behaviour change at the household level.

scholarly journals Motivations and Actions to Prevent Food Waste among Young Italian Consumers

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Bravi ◽  
Federica Murmura ◽  
Elisabetta Savelli ◽  
Elena Viganò
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Main Motivation ◽  
Global Problem ◽  
Principal Actions ◽  
Waste Food

Food waste is a relevant global problem due to its consequences on food security, economy, and environmental sustainability. This study focuses, in detail, on finding the main motivation for food waste among the young and the principal actions to prevent it. The paper focuses on Italian reality, since Western countries are partly accountable for wasting large amounts of food. What is more, the focus has been shifted specifically on to the youths and young adults, as they are the portion of the population that are most inclined to waste food. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey performed on a sample of n = 904 Italian consumers. In line with previous research, the results of this study confirm that avoidable food waste comes from three main behavioural antecedents: over preparation, excessive purchase, and inappropriate conservation. The research shows that food waste cannot be reduced by just one-way from the consumers; rather, it goes both ways, between consumers and retailers. Therefore, only holding the consumers accountable and expecting them to solve it will not solve the problem of food waste; marketing and retailers should also consider ethics when it comes to food distribution.

scholarly journals Food security and food quality among vanilla farmers in Madagascar: the role of contract farming and livestock keeping

Food Security ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Noromalala Andriamparany ◽  
Hendrik Hänke ◽  
Eva Schlecht
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Cash Income ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Income Sources ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
High Level

AbstractThe northeastern SAVA region of Madagascar is the largest vanilla producing area in the world and is flourishing due to a large global demand for natural vanilla. Although the general socio-economic situation has regionally improved because of high vanilla prices, little is known about the nutritional status of local vanilla farmers. We used a 12-month longitudinal food survey to analyze food security, food consumption and nutrient intake of local vanilla farming households (n = 140). Food consumption data was complemented with baseline, agro-economic, longitudinal and field-plot information to determine factors influencing food security, and the contribution of protein from Animal Source Food (ASF_protein) to household nutrition using a stepwise generalized linear model. Results show a high level (74%) of food insecurity and micronutrient deficiency but an acceptable level of protein intake among surveyed households. Consumption of rice, the principal source of carbohydrates, is stable across the year. Compared to other regions in Madagascar, local diets are moderately diversified with an acceptable share of ASF_protein (about 50%). Household size (P < 0.001) and cash income from rice sales (P < 0.001) were the most important factors influencing the food security index (FSI), while cash crop income (P < 0.01) and number of income sources (P < 0.01) were more important in the explanation of the dietary share of ASF_protein. Yet, neither livestock ownership nor contracting with vanilla buyers/exporters did improve food security of the surveyed households. Households who concluded contracts were significantly less food secure than non-contracting households (P = 0.01) with seasonal fluctuations across the year. Policy implications of our findings are that, although many actors of the vanilla value chain run social and environmental programs in the SAVA region, more needs to be done to improve diet quality at household level and strengthen farmers’ resilience to food insecurity.

Generation and analysis of biogas from kitchen waste at a small scale

2020 ◽  
pp. 140-148
Author(s):  
Md. Kumail Naqvi ◽  
Mrinal Anthwal ◽  
Ravindra Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Total Solid ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Retention Period ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Replacement Model ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Scale Experiment ◽  
Small Period

Biogas is the product of anaerobic vitiation of biodegradable matter. This paper focuses on the need of alternative and green sources of energy at a household level and how biogas produced from the everyday organic waste has the potential and possibility to replace LPG cylinders at houses, shops etc. and empower us to step towards an eco-friendly future. The purpose this small-scale experiment has been to find the perfect input matter that is easy to acquire and which produces the maximum amount of gas from minimum input and within small period of waste retention. Four different types of input waste material containing different quantities of cow dung and kitchen food waste were studied through individual experimental setups. Waste was mixed and kept at room temperature and the pH and total solid concentration of the samples were recorded on regular intervals. From the experiment it was found that the optimum yield of biogas at a small scale, based on the parameters such as retention period, pH and total solid con-centration can be obtained by the use of food waste form households and kitchens. The exact composition has been discussed in this paper. The energy generated by the small-scale generator has also been compared to that of an LPG cylinder and an LPG replacement model has also been presented.

Understanding the Tradition of Male Calf Release in Tambakan Village of Bali Island, Indonesia from the Perspective of History, Religion, Environment Sustainability and Food Security

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luh Putu Puspawati ◽  
I Made Swastika ◽  
Tjokorda Udiana Nindhia Pemayun ◽  
Tjokorda Gde Tirta Nindhia
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
The People ◽  
Environment Sustainability ◽  
The Village

Historically the tradition of male calf release in Tambakan Villlage was initiated from the vow of the defeated soldier of the kingdom of Buleleng over the kingdom of Bangli in the Island of Bali in the region of present day Indonesia. The defeated soldiers of Buleleng were hiding in the forest around the presentday village of Tambakan, Buleleng, Bali. All the soldiers vowed to the Deity dwelling in the forest to hand over a male calf if they survived the pursuit of the enemy. In the end, the enemy could not find them and the soldiers remained in the forest and continued their lives there. The village was named as Tambakan, meaning a buffer of enemy attack. The village was surrounded by a fence made from bamboo during that time. The soldiers then paid their vows by releasing male calves into the forest. This historical incident then developed to become a belief of the local peoples that if they vow to release a male calf to the Deity, then their wish will be fulfilled. Indeed many wishes of the people did come true when they released a male calf to the forest. Consequently, the population of the bulls increased in the forest, and by the influence of the Hindu Tantra sect, about 23 bulls from the forest are taken out every 2 years to be sacrificed in the temples addressed to Goddess of Durga. The meat of the sacrificed bulls is then distributed to the members of the village to be consumed. The releases of male calves gives benefit to environmental sustainability and the distribution of the meat after sacrificing guarantees food security for the people.

scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Changes in Perceived Household Food Waste in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1104
Author(s):  
Kelly Cosgrove ◽  
Maricarmen Vizcaino ◽  
Christopher Wharton
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Binomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Fresh Vegetables

Food waste contributes to adverse environmental and economic outcomes, and substantial food waste occurs at the household level in the US. This study explored perceived household food waste changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and related factors. A total of 946 survey responses from primary household food purchasers were analyzed. Demographic, COVID-19-related household change, and household food waste data were collected in October 2020. Wilcoxon signed-rank was used to assess differences in perceived food waste. A hierarchical binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine whether COVID-19-related lifestyle disruptions and food-related behavior changes increased the likelihood of household food waste. A binomial logistic regression was conducted to explore the contribution of different food groups to the likelihood of increased food waste. Perceived food waste, assessed as the estimated percent of food wasted, decreased significantly during the pandemic (z = −7.47, p < 0.001). Food stockpiling was identified as a predictor of increased overall food waste during the pandemic, and wasting fresh vegetables and frozen foods increased the odds of increased food waste. The results indicate the need to provide education and resources related to food stockpiling and the management of specific food groups during periods of disruption to reduce food waste.

scholarly journals COVID-19: From health crises to food security anxiety and policy implications

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linley Chiwona-Karltun ◽  
Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah ◽  
Caroline Wamala-Larsson ◽  
Salome Amuakwa-Mensah ◽  
Assem Abu Hatab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Economic ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Local Spread

AbstractLike the rest of the world, African countries are reeling from the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19. The continent’s governments have responded by imposing rigorous lockdowns to limit the spread of the virus. The various lockdown measures are undermining food security, because stay at home orders have among others, threatened food production for a continent that relies heavily on agriculture as the bedrock of the economy. This article draws on quantitative data collected by the GeoPoll, and, from these data, assesses the effect of concern about the local spread and economic impact of COVID-19 on food worries. Qualitative data comprising 12 countries south of the Sahara reveal that lockdowns have created anxiety over food security as a health, economic and human rights/well-being issue. By applying a probit model, we find that concern about the local spread of COVID-19 and economic impact of the virus increases the probability of food worries. Governments have responded with various efforts to support the neediest. By evaluating the various policies rolled out we advocate for a feminist economics approach that necessitates greater use of data analytics to predict the likely impacts of intended regulatory relief responses during the recovery process and post-COVID-19.

scholarly journals Understanding Food Waste, Food Insecurity, and the Gap between the Two: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 681
Author(s):  
Nora A. Althumiri ◽  
Mada H. Basyouni ◽  
Ali F. Duhaim ◽  
Norah AlMousa ◽  
Mohammed F. AlJuwaysim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Household Factors ◽  
Cooked Food ◽  
The Individual

Background: Food waste and food insecurity may co-exist in various balances in developing and developed countries. This study aimed to explore the levels of food waste and food insecurity, the factors associated with them, and their relationships at the household and individual levels in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted via computer-assisted phone interviews in January 2021. Quota sampling was utilized to generate balanced distributions of participants by gender across all the administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Data collection included household demographics, food waste and disposal, the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Results: Out of the 2807 potential participants contacted, 2454 (87.4%) completed the interview. The mean age was 31.4 (SD = 11.7; range = 18–99) and 50.1% were female. The weighted prevalence of uncooked food waste in the last four weeks was 63.6% and the cooked food waste was 74.4%. However, the food insecurity weighted prevalence at the individual level (FIES) was 6.8%. In terms of food insecurity at the household level (HFIAS), 13.3% were in the “severely food insecure” category. Moreover, this study found that “moderately food insecure” households were associated with an increased likelihood to waste uncooked food (relative risk (RR) = 1.25), and the “mildly food insecure” (RR = 1.21) and “moderately food insecure” (RR = 1.17) households were associated with an increased likelihood to waste cooked food. However, “food secure” households were associated with a decreased likelihood to waste cooked food (RR = 0.56). Finally, this study identified four household factors associated with food waste and three household factors that were associated with “severe food insecurity.” Conclusions: This first national coverage study to explore food waste and food insecurity at the individual level and household level, identified household factors associated with food waste and food insecurity and identified new associations between food waste and food insecurity in Saudi Arabia. The associations found between food waste and food insecurity are potential areas of intervention to reduce both food waste and food insecurity at the same time, toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets related to food waste and food security.

scholarly journals Food Waste in Da Nang City of Vietnam: Trends, Challenges, and Perspectives toward Sustainable Resource Use

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7368
Author(s):  
Ngoc-Bao Pham ◽  
Thu-Nga Do ◽  
Van-Quang Tran ◽  
Anh-Duc Trinh ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Typical Feature ◽  
City Government ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Pig Feed

Food waste has become a critical issue in modern society, especially in the urbanized and fast-growing cities of Asia. The increase in food waste has serious negative impacts on environmental sustainability, water and land resources, and food security, as well as climate and greenhouse gas emissions. Through a specific case study in Da Nang City, Vietnam, this paper examines the extent of food waste generation at the consumption stages, the eating habits of consumers, food waste from households and service establishments, as well as prospects for the reuse of food waste as pig feed. The results of this study indicate that per capita food waste generation in Da Nang has increased from 0.39 to 0.41kg in 2016, 0.46 in 2017, and reached 0.52kg in 2018. According to the results of our consumer survey, 20% of respondents stated that they often generate food waste, 67% stated they sometimes do, and 13% stated they rarely do. Furthermore, 66% of surveyed households stated that their food waste is collected and transported by pig farmers to be used as feed for pigs. The use of food waste as feed for pigs is a typical feature in Da Nang. The study also found that there is a high level of consumer awareness and willingness to participate in the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) program, which was being initiated by the city government. In service facilities such as resorts and hotels, daily food waste reached 100–200 kg in large facilities and 20–120 kg in small facilities. This waste was also collected for use in pig farming. However, there has been a fall in demand for pig feed in line with a decrease in the number of pig farms due to the African swine fever epidemic that occurred during the implementation of this study. This paper suggests that there is a strong need to take both consumer-oriented waste prevention and waste management measures, such as waste segregation at source and introduction of effective food waste recycling techniques, to ensure that food waste can be safely and sustainably used as a “valuable resource” rather than “wasted.”

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