Determining the food waste behaviour of consumers in Northwest Turkey: A cross-sectional analysis

The aim of this study was to determine attitudes of consumers in the northwestern part of Turkey towards food waste behaviour. A structural equation model was used to analyze the attitudes and behaviour of consumers to food waste within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. It was found that food-related planning routines had no effect on food waste behaviour, but that food-related shopping routines encouraged food waste behaviour. On the other hand, the intention not to waste acted to discourage food waste behaviour in consumers. Accordingly, the tendency for consumers to buy more food than they need when shopping leads to an increase in food waste in the household, while the intention not to waste food acts to reduce the amount of waste. Moral attitudes increased the effect of shopping routines while perceived behaviour control had the effect of decreasing it. Intention not to waste was reduced by moral norms and enhanced by subjective norms. Food waste is an ever-increasing problem, but it is preventable. It is recommended that these factors be taken into consideration when developing campaigns, public information notices and workshops about food waste reduction.