Socio-demographic influences on the value and quantity of avoidable food waste in Germany

Purpose Food waste (FW) has substantial economic, environmental and social implications. Traditional weight-based metrics overlook the financial dimensions. This study presents a dual analysis of avoidable household FW in Germany using both weight (kg) and monetary (€) valuations and examines socio-demographic drivers for targeted reduction strategies. Design/methodology/approach Based on two nationally representative diary datasets from 2016/17 to 2020 (German Consumer Panel, GfK), this study analyses over 18,000 households. It applies a multivariate regression to assess the influence of age, household size, number of children, education and urbanisation on avoidable FW, distinguishing it from unavoidable waste. Findings On average, German households discarded 36 kg (149 €) of avoidable food per person per year. Fresh produce dominates waste by weight, whereas beverages cause the highest financial loss. FW per capita declines with age and household size but increases with children and urban residency. Higher educational levels correlated with lower FW levels. Originality/value Using one of Germany’s most extensive FW datasets, this study highlights the added value of monetary aggregation and reveals the key sociodemographic patterns. The results provide more effective, evidence-based FW reduction strategies and support improvements in behavioural interventions and measurement practices.