Exploring household leftover food waste heterogeneity: insights from latent class analysis

Purpose This study investigates heterogeneity in household leftover food management behaviour, offering insights into consumer motivations, abilities and opportunities. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 1,004 Australian households through an online survey. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to identify the best-fitting model for the collected data. Based on the items selected for the CFA model, a latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to classify households into distinct subgroups. Finally, a multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine the influence of sociodemographic variables on household latent class membership. Findings The analysis identified four distinct consumer segments. Efficient savers demonstrate strong skills in meal planning, food storage and repurposing leftovers. Unplanned eaters are characterised by limited skills in handling leftovers and low motivation to reduce leftover waste. Aspirational savers exhibit a desire to manage leftovers effectively but face occasional challenges, while time-savvy planners balance efficient food management with busy lifestyles. Sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, employment and household composition, significantly influence class membership. Practical implications The findings emphasise the importance of targeted interventions, such as consumer education on meal planning, portion control, optimal food storage and leftover utilisation, to address specific behaviours within each segment. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by revealing the underlying heterogeneity within consumer groups that influences leftover food management. Gaining deeper insights into consumer behaviours related to food leftovers can empower policymakers and relevant government agencies to design targeted interventions to mitigate food waste.