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Reevaluating Economic Drivers of Household Food Waste: Insights, Tools, and Implications Based on European GDP Correlations

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  • Adrian Daniel Gencia

    (West University of Timisoara, Blvd. Vasile Parvan 4, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ioana Mihaela Balan

    (University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between household food waste and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in various European regions, aiming to determine how economic prosperity influences the levels of household food waste. Using comparative analysis of secondary and tertiary data, a synthetic indicator (IpFW) was developed to assess the interaction between GDP per capita and household food waste per capita. Linear correlation analysis was also applied for better interpretation of the data. Despite expectations, higher GDP is not consistently correlated with lower household food waste, challenging economic prosperity and environmental stewardship assumptions. This research highlights the complexity of the interaction between economic factors and household food waste management, revealing a lack of significant correlation even at the regional level. The findings indicate a need to re-evaluate current policies and highlight that improving food supply chains and influencing consumer behavior can promote more sustainable consumption patterns, which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Daniel Gencia & Ioana Mihaela Balan, 2024. "Reevaluating Economic Drivers of Household Food Waste: Insights, Tools, and Implications Based on European GDP Correlations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:7181-:d:1460848
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Tomas RATINGER & Adam TOMKA & Iveta BOSKOVA, 2016. "Sustainable consumption of bakery products; a challenge for Czech consumers and producers," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 62(10), pages 447-458.
    3. Grier, Kevin B. & Tullock, Gordon, 1989. "An empirical analysis of cross-national economic growth, 1951-1980," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 259-276, September.
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