A study on Food Waste and Consumer Behavior

Food waste is a growing global concern influenced by various socio-economic and demographic factors. This study explores the relationship between household characteristics, grocery shopping habits, and food waste behaviors. The demographic profile reveals a predominantly female and student-heavy population, with most respondents living in nuclear families and having varied household sizes. A significant portion (55%) reported no monthly expenses, likely due to financial dependence among students. Consumer behavior indicates frequent grocery shopping, with 55% shopping multiple times a week and 65% purchasing fresh produce daily. While 62.5% have engaged in bulk buying, meal planning is inconsistent—only 32.5% always prepare a shopping list. Food waste patterns show that the most common reasons for disposal are leftovers not being consumed (27.5%), food expiration (25%), and food decomposition (20%). Despite high awareness of food waste’s environmental impact (77.5%), 17.5% still discard leftovers, and only 5% compost food waste. Findings suggest that socio-economic status, purchasing behavior, and meal planning habits significantly impact food waste levels. Addressing food waste requires tailored interventions, such as consumer education, behavioral nudges, and policy-driven initiatives promoting food redistribution and waste reduction strategies.