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The Effects of Interventions Using Support Tools to Reduce Household Food Waste: A Study Using a Cloud-Based Automatic Weighing System

Author

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  • Yasuko Seta

    (Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto 606-8142, Japan)

  • Hajime Yamakawa

    (Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto 606-8142, Japan)

  • Tomoko Okayama

    (Faculty of Regional Development, Taisho University, Tokyo 170-8470, Japan)

  • Kohei Watanabe

    (Faculty of Liberal Arts, Teikyo University, Hachioji Campus, Hachioji 192-0395, Japan)

  • Maki Nonomura

    (Faculty of International Agriculture and Food Studies, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan)

Abstract

Food waste is a global sustainability issue, and in Japan, approximately half of all food waste is generated in households. This study focused on refrigerator management behaviors aimed at using up the food inventory in the home. An intervention study involving 119 households with two or more members across Japan, with a two-week baseline period and a two-week intervention, was conducted. Target behaviors were set as “search food that should be eaten quickly,” “move it to a visible place,” and “use the foods that should be eaten quickly,” and tools to support these behaviors were selected, including an organizer for the refrigerator, photos, and food management apps. Each tool was assigned to approximately 30 households, and a control group was established. Food waste was measured using a cloud-based automatic weighing system, and all participants were asked to separate avoidable food waste at home and dispose of it in the designated waste bin. During the intervention period, the average weekly food waste per household decreased by 29% to 51% in the intervention group, while there was little change in the control group. An analysis using a two-way mixed ANOVA revealed a marginally significant interaction ( p < 0.10), indicating moderate effectiveness. Among the behaviors contributing to reduced food waste, three actions—“having trouble not being able to recall food inventory at home during shopping,” “moving foods that should be used sooner,” and “organizing refrigerator”—showed significant interaction effects ( p < 0.05) in a two-way mixed ANOVA, indicating the effectiveness of the intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Yasuko Seta & Hajime Yamakawa & Tomoko Okayama & Kohei Watanabe & Maki Nonomura, 2025. "The Effects of Interventions Using Support Tools to Reduce Household Food Waste: A Study Using a Cloud-Based Automatic Weighing System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-26, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6392-:d:1700202
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Boulet & Nita Lauren, 2024. "Nudging Householders to Reduce Avoidable Food Waste: The OzHarvest Use It Up Tape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Reynolds, Christian & Goucher, Liam & Quested, Tom & Bromley, Sarah & Gillick, Sam & Wells, Victoria K. & Evans, David & Koh, Lenny & Carlsson Kanyama, Annika & Katzeff, Cecilia & Svenfelt, Åsa & Jack, 2019. "Review: Consumption-stage food waste reduction interventions – What works and how to design better interventions," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 7-27.
    3. Claudia Giordano & Gianluca Di Fiore & Fabrizio Alboni & Elisa Carloni & Sergio Rivaroli & Luca Falasconi, 2023. "Household Food Waste Awareness in Relation to Motivations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Tomoko Okayama & Kohei Watanabe & Hajime Yamakawa, 2021. "Sorting Analysis of Household Food Waste—Development of a Methodology Compatible with the Aims of SDG12.3," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, July.
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