A field experiment to assess barriers to accurate household food waste measurements

• DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107644
• Publication Date: 2024-04-25T17:00:43Z
• Authors: Sybilla Merian; Kevin O'Sullivan; Sabrina Stöckli; Claudio Beretta; Nadina Müller; Verena Tiefenbeck; Elgar Fleisch; Martin Natter
• Keywords: Food Waste; Household Waste

The United Nations' sustainable development goals call for a 50 % reduction in global household food waste by 2030, but an accurate measurement method to quantify has yet be developed. In field experiment with 359 households, this study compares standard methods (survey, diary, kitchen caddy) and assesses the barriers measures. Based on our experimental design, we derive minimal estimate of (ground truth) that allows us examine explain differences results these methods. suggest physical is most method, as it evokes least behavioral adaptations. However, resource-intensive not always feasible. We provide guidance how measure based purpose measurement, including specific materials use reporting standards follow.