Household food waste disposal behaviour is driven by perceived personal benefits, recycling habits and ability to compost

Abstract

Households are responsible for a large proportion of total food waste and are an important focal point for addressing food waste disposal issues. Determinants of household food waste minimisation behaviour have been previously explored; however, little is known about the determinants of household food waste disposal behaviour. Several food waste disposal options are available to households, depending on context, with some disposal practices being more sustainable than others. This study applies the food waste hierarchy to household food waste disposal behaviour and identifies three sustainable food waste disposal behaviours (sorting food waste into the green organics bin, reusing food waste for animal feed, and home composting); and three unsustainable behaviours (disposing of food waste in the general waste bin, the recycling bin, and/or the sink). Using data from a survey of 1027 respondents, a fractional multinomial logit model is used to analyse the associations between explanatory variables and sustainable versus unsustainable household food waste disposal behaviour. Having a kitchen caddy is associated with increased sustainable food waste disposal behaviour (higher proportion of food waste diverted to the green bin and composted). Key factors that drive households’ use of kerbside green organics bins are perceived personal costs and benefits, and recycling habits. Importantly, environmental self-identity is positively associated with home composting practices. Factors associated with a higher proportion of food waste disposed of in the general waste bin (unsustainable behaviour) include stronger perceived inconvenience of using the green bin, living in a unit, and having a higher household income. Findings from this study can provide insight into interventions to promote more sustainable household food waste disposal practices.