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IFWASTE: An Agent-Based Model for the Estimation of Household Food Waste

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Listed:
  • Ziynet Boz

    (Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Road, Bldg. 474, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
    Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA)

  • Gregory A. Kiker

    (Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Road, Bldg. 474, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
    Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA)

  • Helen Haase

    (Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Road, Bldg. 474, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
    Department of Computer Science, University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Berliner Tor 7, 20099 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Riley Orr

    (Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Road, Bldg. 474, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA)

  • Amrit Vignesh

    (Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Road, Bldg. 474, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA)

  • Catherine Campbell

    (Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
    Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA)

  • Nevin Cohen

    (CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, City University of New York, 55 W. 125th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA)

  • Kai Robertson

    (KOR Consulting, Washington, DC 20007, USA)

  • Cody Gusto

    (Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA)

  • Thomas Clemen

    (Department of Computer Science, University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Berliner Tor 7, 20099 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Household food waste (HFW) is a major contributor to global food loss, making its reduction a priority for policymakers, businesses, and organizations. Accurate waste estimates and an understanding of their drivers are essential, yet current data are inconsistent due to different quantification methods. This study introduces the open-source, Integrated Food Waste (IFWASTE) agent-based model. IFWASTE is the first agent-based model to quantify household food waste by both weight and composition, incorporating behavioral factors such as the Theory of Planned Behavior and socioeconomic variables. Simulations of 10,000 households over 100 days show substantial variability in food waste, with an average of 0.23 to 0.33 kg per capita per day, depending on the number of children. This estimate aligns with previously reported empirical data. The IFWASTE model also analyzes both individual HFW behavior over time and broader neighborhood-level patterns, supporting evidence-based reduction strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Ziynet Boz & Gregory A. Kiker & Helen Haase & Riley Orr & Amrit Vignesh & Catherine Campbell & Nevin Cohen & Kai Robertson & Cody Gusto & Thomas Clemen, 2026. "IFWASTE: An Agent-Based Model for the Estimation of Household Food Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-30, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:12:p:6091-:d:1966677
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