Attitudes and behaviour of Polish consumers regarding food waste in the food chain

Abstract

Purpose: The article raises consumer behaviour regarding food waste, which is a current and multidimensional problem with many economic, environmental, and social consequences. The main objective of the research was to learn the behaviour and attitudes of young Polish consumers to food waste and the opinions about the causes of food waste, awareness of the places in the food chain with the most incredible food waste, and to study whether this awareness was associated with food waste behaviour. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted among 1,078 Polish consumers aged 18-35 (representatives of the X and Y generations). In order to verify which socio-demographic factors influenced the assessment of the impact of changes in consumer behaviour on the reduction of food waste, a regression analysis was performed. Furthermore, relationships between the socio-demographic profiles determined in the cluster analysis and food waste behaviour were examined. Findings: The conducted research confirmed that women are more aware of the impact of introducing appropriate consumer behaviour on reducing the scale of food waste (due to their more direct contact with food during shopping and cooking) and young age and higher education contributed to the higher awareness of waste as a significant socio-economic and environmental problem. On the other hand, consumers aware of the highest share of households in food waste did not behave in a manner intending to reduce food waste. Practical Implications: The obtained results may be helpful for institutions and organizations responsible for shaping the policy of reducing food waste. Originality/Value: Getting to know the opinions of young consumers is essential from the point of view of analyzing consumer behaviour, because these people are starting their careers and families, set specific trends in market behaviour, and it is their behaviour that will determine the scale of food waste in the future.