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Food Waste and Social Practices in Australian Households

Author

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  • Emily Keegan

    (Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University Building, 209 Level 1, Kent St., Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

  • Jessica K. Breadsell

    (Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University Building, 209 Level 1, Kent St., Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

Abstract

Food waste is a critical sustainability issue, and the solutions, particularly in middle- to high-income countries, lie in shifting practices within households. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the research in an Australian context, provide insights from a social practice theory approach and understand the influence of growing your own food to waste production. The research is based on respondents completing a two-week food diary documenting food acquisition and disposal and then undertaking a survey on their food practices and attitudes to waste. This study finds that the preparation of meals and storage practices are critical towards the production of food waste. These practices can be shifted by focusing on upskilling and the introduction of new materiality or technologies. The acquisition of food is also a pivotal practice in which to intervene in order to reduce waste in other food practices in the household. Interventions, such as growing your own food, are recommended to shift food practices to reduce an output of waste to landfill. The research is limited by its reliance on self-reported data for food waste. However, the focus on social practices in food waste is novel in an Australian context.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Keegan & Jessica K. Breadsell, 2021. "Food Waste and Social Practices in Australian Households," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-35, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3377-:d:519945
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Esther Landells & Anjum Naweed & David H. Pearson & Gamithri G. Karunasena & Samuel Oakden, 2022. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Using Post-Kerbside Organics Treatment Systems to Engage Australian Communities with Pro-Environmental Household Food Waste Behaviours," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Stephanie Marwood & Noreen Byrne & Olive McCarthy & Ciara Heavin & Peter Barlow, 2023. "Examining the Relationship between Consumers’ Food-Related Actions, Wider Pro-Environmental Behaviours, and Food Waste Frequency: A Case Study of the More Conscious Consumer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-30, February.
    5. Linda Brennan & Caroline Francis & Eva L. Jenkins & Bruno Schivinski & Michaela Jackson & Eloise Florence & Lukas Parker & Sophie Langley & Simon Lockrey & Karli Verghese & Nhat Tram Phan-Le & Alliste, 2023. "Consumer Perceptions of Food Packaging in Its Role in Fighting Food Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Pruethsan Sutthichaimethee, 2024. "A Framework on Setting Strategies for Enhancing the Efficiency of State Power use in Thailand’s Pursuit of a Green Economy," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(1), pages 108-120, January.
    7. Christine Blanchard & Peter Harris & Celmara Pocock & Bernadette K. McCabe, 2023. "Food and Garden Organic Waste Management in Australia: Co-Benefits for Regional Communities and Local Government," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-25, June.
    8. 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.

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