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Attitudes and Behaviour of Polish Consumers Regarding Food Waste in the Food Chain

Author

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  • Marzena Lemanowicz
  • Anna Jasiulewicz

Abstract

Purpose: The article raises consumer behaviour regarding food waste, which is a current and multidimensional problem with many economic, environmental, and social consequences. The main objective of the research was to learn the behaviour and attitudes of young Polish consumers to food waste and the opinions about the causes of food waste, awareness of the places in the food chain with the most incredible food waste, and to study whether this awareness was associated with food waste behaviour. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted among 1,078 Polish consumers aged 18-35 (representatives of the X and Y generations). In order to verify which socio-demographic factors influenced the assessment of the impact of changes in consumer behaviour on the reduction of food waste, a regression analysis was performed. Furthermore, relationships between the socio-demographic profiles determined in the cluster analysis and food waste behaviour were examined. Findings: The conducted research confirmed that women are more aware of the impact of introducing appropriate consumer behaviour on reducing the scale of food waste (due to their more direct contact with food during shopping and cooking) and young age and higher education contributed to the higher awareness of waste as a significant socio-economic and environmental problem. On the other hand, consumers aware of the highest share of households in food waste did not behave in a manner intending to reduce food waste. Practical Implications: The obtained results may be helpful for institutions and organizations responsible for shaping the policy of reducing food waste. Originality/Value: Getting to know the opinions of young consumers is essential from the point of view of analyzing consumer behaviour, because these people are starting their careers and families, set specific trends in market behaviour, and it is their behaviour that will determine the scale of food waste in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Marzena Lemanowicz & Anna Jasiulewicz, 2021. "Attitudes and Behaviour of Polish Consumers Regarding Food Waste in the Food Chain," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 636-648.
    • Handle: RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxiv:y:2021:i:2:p:636-648
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ronja Herzberg & Thomas G. Schmidt & Felicitas Schneider, 2020. "Characteristics and Determinants of Domestic Food Waste: A Representative Diary Study across Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Claudia Giordano & Fabrizio Alboni & Luca Falasconi, 2019. "Quantities, Determinants, and Awareness of Households’ Food Waste in Italy: A Comparison between Diary and Questionnaires Quantities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Mary Griffin & Jeffery Sobal & Thomas Lyson, 2009. "An analysis of a community food waste stream," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 26(1), pages 67-81, March.
    4. Panpan Zhang & Dan Zhang & Shengkui Cheng, 2020. "The Effect of Consumer Perception on Food Waste Behavior of Urban Households in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-14, July.
    5. Azucena Gracia & Miguel I. Gómez, 2020. "Food Sustainability and Waste Reduction in Spain: Consumer Preferences for Local, Suboptimal, And/Or Unwashed Fresh Food Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, May.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Food waste; food chain; consumer behaviour; young consumers.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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