A field experiment to assess barriers to accurate household food waste measurements
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Date
2024-07
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
The United Nations' sustainable development goals call for a 50 % reduction in global household food waste by 2030, but an accurate measurement method to quantify household food waste has yet to be developed. In a field experiment with 359 households, this study compares standard food waste measurement methods (survey, diary, kitchen caddy) and assesses the barriers to accurate measures. Based on our experimental design, we derive a minimal estimate of food waste (ground truth) that allows us to examine and explain the differences in the results of these methods. The results suggest that physical waste measurement is the most accurate measurement method, as it evokes the least behavioral adaptations. However, this method is resource-intensive and not always feasible. We provide guidance on how to measure food waste based on the purpose of the measurement, including specific materials to use and reporting standards to follow.
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Publication status
published
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Journal / series
Volume
206
Pages / Article No.
107644
Publisher
Elsevier
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Edition / version
Methods
Software
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Date collected
Date created
Subject
Household food waste measurement; Diary; Kitchen caddy; Survey; Underestimation; Biases
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Notes
Funding
197633 - ShopHero - Digital Receipt Based Sustainability and Food Waste Monitoring and Interventions (SNF)