Food waste as a consequence of an inefficient consumer’s choices: a microeconomic approach

Abstract

This study frames the household food waste challenge in the microeconomic theory context by proposing a model that considers food waste a consequence of inefficient consumer choices. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology was applied to factor consumer’s efficiency level dimension, starting from data collected through a web survey conducted in Italy with a sample of 530 individuals responsible for their households’ food-shopping. The findings confirm that food waste is a complex issue, affected by both behavioural and psychological factors, synthesized in three indices constructed with fuzzy analysis. The results show that the shopping behaviour index generates a higher average efficiency score for food waste minimization than the food waste concerns and moral attitudes indices. Furthermore, those drivers have different efficiency levels in reducing food waste with reference to gender, age, family composition, and educational level. The results have several implications for policymakers: they highlight the need to implement tailored educational and information campaigns that consider the most important targets identified, such as large families with children, young people, and men.