People-to-people food waste management: analyzing discourses on Reddit through the lens of Communities of Practice theory

Purpose Food waste is a critical global challenge with profound environmental, social, and economic consequences. The growing use of social media and crowdsourced platforms, such as Reddit, provides rich insights into public discourse and collective knowledge construction regarding food waste management. Drawing on Communities of Practice (CoP) Theory, this study analyzes user-generated content on these platforms to examine how digital communities foster shared knowledge and promote sustainable practices for reducing food waste. It specifically explores mutual engagement, shared goals, and proposed solutions within these online spaces. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative multiple-case study design, this study applies CoP Theory to investigate user-generated content from 22 Reddit communities. The data were thematically analyzed to explore how online interactions support collective knowledge construction, mutual engagement, shared goals, and collaborative problem-solving for food waste reduction. Findings Online communities operate as digital CoPs, where users collaboratively develop strategies to reduce food waste. Key activities include challenging misleading “best before” labels, highlighting inefficiencies in food distribution, and advocating for changes in consumer behavior and corporate policies. Originality/value The study extends CoP Theory to virtual crowdsourced settings, illustrating how these platforms enable sustainable knowledge-sharing, collective knowledge construction, and peer learning. Practically, the findings underscore the value of online platforms in supporting food waste reduction, informing policy, and promoting citizen engagement in sustainability.