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Food Waste Behavior among Romanian Consumers: A Cluster Analysis

Author

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  • Cristina Bianca Pocol

    (Department of Animal Production and Food Safety, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj Napoca, Romania)

  • Margaux Pinoteau

    (Frate Formation Conseil, 90000 Belfort, France)

  • Antonio Amuza

    (Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Adriana Burlea-Schiopoiu

    (Department of Management, Marketing, Business Administration, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania)

  • Alexandra-Ioana Glogovețan

    (Department of Animal Production and Food Safety, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

The main objective of the current study was to conduct an investigation at the national level in order to identify types of consumers depending on their perception of food waste. To do this, an online survey was carried out on a sample of 2541 respondents. Using a K-means clustering model, three clusters of consumers were identified. Cluster 1, “Careless”, consumers who dispose of food and food waste carelessly, are people who come from rural areas or small cities and have a rather low level of education. They do not have much information on the subject of food waste and do not seem to consider it “a problem”. Cluster 2, “Precautious”, composed of responsible people who do not throw away food, are well-informed and consider that all actors in the agri-food chain have a share in the food waste problem. Those who belong to cluster 3, “Ignorant”, are mostly from urban areas and have a high level of education. They were not raised to prevent food waste and therefore lack such habits as adults. They have a fair awareness of this subject, but they do not consider themselves responsible for food waste. The results obtained indicate the need to continue the awareness and education campaigns initiated at governmental and civil society level.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Bianca Pocol & Margaux Pinoteau & Antonio Amuza & Adriana Burlea-Schiopoiu & Alexandra-Ioana Glogovețan, 2020. "Food Waste Behavior among Romanian Consumers: A Cluster Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9708-:d:448571
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Cãlin Veghes & Andreea Strambu Dima, 2022. "Romanian Agri-Food Businesses and the European Green Deal: An Exploratory Approach," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(60), pages 508-508, April.
    5. Amicarelli, Vera & Lagioia, Giovanni & Sampietro, Stefania & Bux, Christian, 2022. "Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed food waste perception and behavior? Evidence from Italian consumers," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).
    6. Jagoda Jungowska & Bartosz Kulczyński & Andrzej Sidor & Anna Gramza-Michałowska, 2021. "Assessment of Factors Affecting the Amount of Food Waste in Households Run by Polish Women Aware of Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    7. Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Teodora Zecheru, 2022. "Untapped Aspects of Waste Management versus Green Deal Objectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
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    9. Maria-Georgeta Moldovan & Dan-Cristian Dabija & Cristina Bianca Pocol, 2022. "Resources Management for a Resilient World: A Literature Review of Eastern European Countries with Focus on Household Behaviour and Trends Related to Food Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-13, June.
    10. Vera Amicarelli & Caterina Tricase & Alessia Spada & Christian Bux, 2021. "Households’ Food Waste Behavior at Local Scale: A Cluster Analysis after the COVID-19 Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, March.
    11. Larissa Diekmann & Claas Christian Germelmann, 2021. "Leftover Consumption as a Means of Food Waste Reduction in Public Space? Qualitative Insights from Online Discussions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-30, December.
    12. Roxana-Larisa Cadar & Antonio Amuza & Diana Elena Dumitras & Mihaela Mihai & Cristina Bianca Pocol, 2021. "Analysing Clusters of Consumers Who Use Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-16, August.
    13. Mirza Marvel Cequea & Jessika Milagros Vásquez Neyra & Valentina Gomes Haensel Schmitt & Marcos Ferasso, 2021. "Household Food Consumption and Wastage during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Comparison between Peru and Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    14. Yetkin Özbük, Raife Meltem & Coşkun, Ayşen & Filimonau, Viachaslau, 2022. "The impact of COVID-19 on food management in households of an emerging economy," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).

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