Food waste in the phase of domestic consumption: the causes and preventive actions

Abstract

This work is part of a research field still little explored both nationally and internationally and in which different theoretical approaches and methodologies for quantitative analysis of the dynamics of food waste are used. Most of the research, globally, focuses on the formation of waste in the stages of production and distribution. Few studies regarded, however, an analysis of food waste in the phase of domestic consumption. Therefore, this paper aims to fill this gap by providing the results of a survey, carried out at a representative sample of the population, to quantify, qualify and identify the causes of food waste as well as actions that consumers put in place to reduce or, even better, to prevent it. Said survey was conducted on a representative sample of 500 individuals. The questionnaire was launched in April 2014 and remained on-line until June 2014. The same has been diffused through the social network "Facebook".