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Evaluation of Determinants of Food Waste in Family Households in the Greater Porto Area Based on Self-Reported Consumption Practices

Author

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  • Taíse Portugal

    (Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, 4150 180 Porto, Portugal)

  • Susana Freitas

    (Departmento de Educação, Comunicação e Marketing, Lipor, 4435-746 Baguim do Monte, Portugal)

  • Luís Miguel Cunha

    (GreenUPorto, Department of Geosciences, Environment and Planning, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4485-646 Vila do Conde, Portugal)

  • Ada Margarida Correia Nunes Rocha

    (LAQV-REQUIMTE/GreenUPorto, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, 4150 180 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Despite food waste occurring along the entire food supply chain, a significant proportion occurs in domestic settings. Large quantities of domestic food waste have been attributable to consumer behaviors during buying, cooking, consumption, and disposal. The main objective of this research was to understand the major determinants of household food waste from families in the north of Portugal. A convenience sample was used, which was drawn from households in the Greater Porto Area. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire that included three groups of structured questions related to perceived behavior and attitudes towards food consumption, leftover usage, and food waste. Exploratory data analysis was used to identify underlying dimensions. No relationships were found between socio-demographic data and food waste, buying behavior, or destination/use of leftovers. The majority of the participants reported a high level of planning of their grocery shopping. Fruits and vegetables presented the highest frequency of consumption, followed by sources of carbohydrates and sources of proteins. The storage of cooked food from different food groups presented a single factor, grouping the majority of the individual food leftovers, going from fruits and vegetables to sources of carbohydrates and proteins. The reported levels of wastage of the different food products were grouped into three dimensions: waste of vegetables, waste of protein sources, and waste of sources of carbohydrates. Waste of precooked foods emerged as an independent item, and it was the individual item with the highest frequency. The families studied reported a positive attitude concerning buying, consumption, and wastage, revealing a particular awareness of food waste and its social and environmental impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Taíse Portugal & Susana Freitas & Luís Miguel Cunha & Ada Margarida Correia Nunes Rocha, 2020. "Evaluation of Determinants of Food Waste in Family Households in the Greater Porto Area Based on Self-Reported Consumption Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:8781-:d:433132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Secondi, Luca & Principato, Ludovica & Laureti, Tiziana, 2015. "Household food waste behaviour in EU-27 countries: A multilevel analysis," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 25-40.
    2. Danyi Qi & Brian E Roe, 2016. "Household Food Waste: Multivariate Regression and Principal Components Analyses of Awareness and Attitudes among U.S. Consumers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(7), pages 1-19, July.
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    2. Lea Kubíčková & Lucie Veselá & Marcela Kormaňáková, 2021. "Food Waste Behaviour at the Consumer Level: Pilot Study on Czech Private Households," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Shahin Ghaziani & Delaram Ghodsi & Gholamreza Dehbozorgi & Shiva Faghih & Yeganeh Rajabpour Ranjbar & Reiner Doluschitz, 2021. "Comparing Lab-Measured and Surveyed Bread Waste Data: A Possible Hybrid Approach to Correct the Underestimation of Household Food Waste Self-Assessment Surveys," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Zailin Zainal Ariffin & Siti Norazlin Anuar & Noor Farhana Mangadi & Azizul Yadi Yaakop & Zaini Sakawi & Sufian Jusoh & Mohd Adib Ibrahim, 2023. "Household Food Waste Behavior in Klang Valley, Malaysia, and Its Potential in the Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, June.

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