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Food waste in Italian households during the Covid-19 pandemic: a self-reporting approach

Author

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  • Vera Amicarelli

    (University of Bari Aldo Moro)

  • Christian Bux

    (University of Bari Aldo Moro)

Abstract

Food waste prevention and reduction are an economic, social and environmental concern included among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The third target under SDG 12 (Target 12.3) on Responsible Production and Consumption aims to halve food waste by 2030 at retail and consumer levels, considering that more than half of its quantity is generated by final consumers, both indoor and outdoor. However, the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak at the beginning of 2020 imposed several food consumption behaviors and lifestyle changes: food service facilities (e.g., restaurants, pubs, cafés, hotels, resorts) have been closed roughly all over the world, generating a sharp domestic consumption and an expected increase in household waste. The authors conducted an explorative research through the food diary approach. The purpose of this paper is to have a better understanding of household food consumption and wastage trends during Covid-19 pandemic testing, as well as food diary methodology strengths and weaknesses. Food diaries, even with their intrinsic limitations and biases, represent a valuable technique to obtain detailed qualitative and quantitative knowledge on daily food consumption and consumers’ behavior. Through the limited but significant results achieved, the authors highlight the logistics of the methodology and the food waste generation trends among a small sample of Italian families during the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, healthier work–life balances, adequate time management and smart food delivery seem to be good opportunities for food waste reduction in households.

Suggested Citation

  • Vera Amicarelli & Christian Bux, 2021. "Food waste in Italian households during the Covid-19 pandemic: a self-reporting approach," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(1), pages 25-37, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:13:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s12571-020-01121-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-020-01121-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    12. Aleksander Buczacki & Bartłomiej Gładysz & Erika Palmer, 2021. "HoReCa Food Waste and Sustainable Development Goals—A Systemic View," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, May.
    13. Theodoridis, Prokopis K. & Zacharatos, Theofanis V., 2022. "Food waste during Covid- 19 lockdown period and consumer behaviour – The case of Greece," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    14. Maurizio Comoli & Patrizia Tettamanzi & Michael Murgolo, 2023. "Accounting for ‘ESG’ under Disruptions: A Systematic Literature Network Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-32, April.
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    17. Anna Sylwia Tarczyńska & Ewa Malinowska & Andrzej Urbanowicz, 2023. "Attitudes and Behaviours of Young Consumers towards Wasting Food: Case Study Based on Polish Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    18. Miguel-Ángel Artacho-Ramírez & Héctor Moreno-Solaz & Vanesa G. Lo-Iacono-Ferreira & Víctor-Andrés Cloquell-Ballester, 2022. "Statistical Analysis of the Long-Term Influence of COVID-19 on Waste Generation—A Case Study of Castellón in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-17, May.
    19. 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.
    20. Laila, Amar & von Massow, Mike & Bain, Maggie & Parizeau, Kate & Haines, Jess, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 on food waste behaviour of families: Results from household waste composition audits," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).
    21. Yetkin Özbük, Raife Meltem & Coşkun, Ayşen & Filimonau, Viachaslau, 2022. "The impact of COVID-19 on food management in households of an emerging economy," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).

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