University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Robert Glanz
(2009):
Causes of food waste generation in households - an empirical analysis.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Abfallwirtschaft (ABF-BOKU),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 89.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- Food waste accounts for around 18% of municipal solid waste in Austria. It is divided into four main groups: unopened food in original packaging, opened partially used food, inedibles and leftovers. This thesis aims to give a variety of possible causes why products from the first two food waste groups are discarded in households. The literature review discusses all types of food waste and its relation to households in an international context. Food consumption patterns and factors influencing the amount shall give background information about the social context of food waste. Reasons found in literature are described and results from a UK food waste study presented. The research section of this thesis focuses on Austria and two specific types of food waste that account for 6-12% of municipal solid waste: unopened food in original packaging and opened, partially used food. The empirical study was based on 21 face-to-face interviews with households located in Vienna and Lower Austria. A category system, derived via content analysis, summarized 43 different reasons into 6 main and 27 subcategories by content structuring. Results show that households are not always to blame for the arising food waste. Furthermore personal attitudes towards edibles, cooking and eating habits, shopping behaviour and storage of edibles have been identified as relevant factors which were then compared to international literature. Qualitative interviews were supported by a a questionnaire about the socio-demographic background of participants and a quantitative analysis of expired products found in the households. A total of 212 expired products with a net mass of 30.2 kg were recorded and analysed.
- Beurteilende(r): Salhofer Stefan Petrus