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Investigating the Determinants of Greek Households Food Waste Prevention Behaviour

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  • Theodora Kritikou

    (Department of Geography, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Athens, Greece)

  • Dimosthenis Panagiotakos

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Athens, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Abeliotis

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Athens, Greece)

  • Katia Lasaridi

    (Department of Geography, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Food waste prevention is globally an urgent policy priority. Multiple studies have demonstrated that in the developed world, households are the main producers of food waste along the food supply chain, being responsible for about half of the edible food wasted. This study aims to analyse consumers’ food waste behaviour and identify the factors that influence food waste generation in Greek households. A survey of 921 Greek households was conducted using a structured questionnaire based on the explanatory framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, which is currently the most widely used cognitive model in environmental psychology. The study investigated the validity of relations between the main model parameters (attitude towards food waste, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intention, and self-reported behaviour), in addition to knowledge regarding food waste prevention, general environmental knowledge, planning and shopping habits and demographic characteristics. Results demonstrated that food waste prevention Intention and food provisioning habits are direct determinants of food waste generation Behaviour. Intention was predominantly determined by General Environmental Attitude, followed by Perceived Behavioural Control, Attitude towards Food Waste, and Consequences/Outcomes of waste prevention, while Subjective Norms did not exert a statistically significant influence, indicating that formal and informal environmental education can positively influence food waste prevention behaviour through a combination of experiential actions and instruction. The findings of the study can inform policymaking and support the development of effective campaigns for food waste prevention at the consumption stage.

Suggested Citation

  • Theodora Kritikou & Dimosthenis Panagiotakos & Konstantinos Abeliotis & Katia Lasaridi, 2021. "Investigating the Determinants of Greek Households Food Waste Prevention Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11451-:d:658069
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Antonis A. Zorpas & Maria K. Doula & Mejdi Jeguirim, 2021. "Waste Strategies Development in the Framework of Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-5, December.
    3. Mehmet Efe Biresselioglu & Cigdem Kentmen-Cin & Muhittin Hakan Demir & Zehra Funda Savas & Berfu Solak & Burcin Onder & Gozde Ceviker-Cinar & Berker Ozcureci, 2023. "How to Exploit Sustainable Food Consumption Habits of Individuals: Evidence from a Household Survey in Izmir, Türkiye," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-21, May.
    4. Lingfei Wang & Yuqin Yang & Guoyan Wang, 2022. "The Clean Your Plate Campaign: Resisting Table Food Waste in an Unstable World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Vittoria Pilone & Naomi di Santo & Roberta Sisto, 2023. "Factors affecting food waste: A bibliometric review on the household behaviors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(7), pages 1-21, July.
    6. Maria C. Samolada & Soultana Arvanitidou & Athanasios Kungolos, 2025. "Important Factors Affecting Waste Recycling in Greece: The Case of Central Macedonia Prefecture," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 1037-1052, April.
    7. Sotiris Ntai & Maria Kontopanou & Foivos Anastasiadis, 2025. "Leveraging Household Food Waste Consumer Behaviour to Optimise Logistics," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-17, September.
    8. Konstantinos Papamonioudis & Anastasia Zabaniotou, 2022. "Exploring Greek Citizens’ Circular Thinking on Food Waste Recycling in a Circular Economy—A Survey-Based Investigation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-28, April.
    9. Yannis E. Doukas & Luca Salvati & Ioannis Vardopoulos, 2023. "Unraveling the European Agricultural Policy Sustainable Development Trajectory," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, September.

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