Effects of Socio-economic and Behavioral Factors on Urban Household Food Waste Practices in Bangladesh: A Regression Analysis

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Tahmina Khatun, Md. Elias Hossain

Abstract

Introduction: Food waste has severe economic and environmental repercussions globally. Developing nations like Bangladesh, where food insecurity is a significant issue, waste substantial food along the supply chain. The Food Waste Index 2024 indicates that a Bangladeshi on average discards around 82 kg of food each year, with the predominant portion originating from the household sector. Due to lack of awareness of the negative impacts, food waste has increased to 10 kg per head in three years. Assessing the factors contributing to household food waste is essential to designing effective interventions.


Objectives: This research aims to identify the factors that instigate food waste among the urban households of Bangladesh from a socio-economic and behavioral perspective.


Methods: Using a multi-stage sampling procedure, 500 data were collected from four city corporations of Bangladesh and analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression model.


Results: Results indicate that among demographic variables, household members of 30-50 age group, education level of the households, household size, and having a pet in the house are significant. The frequency of online food shopping, motivation by special or discount offers, making a shopping list and sticking to the written list, knowledge of food waste, storage facilities, and environmental concerns are the significant behavioral aspects that influence food waste in the study area.


Conclusions: This study provides more precise information to identify the causes and ways to make solutions initially. The findings can assist practitioners, scholars, and legislators in developing consumer awareness campaigns aligned with target 12.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (a 50% reduction of the global per capita FW by 2030).

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