Household Food Waste : Empirical Insights on Behavioural and Economic Drivers

This cumulative dissertation examines avoidable food waste in German households through four empirical studies using surveys, diary data, meta-analysis, and econometric modelling. It shows that household food waste is not mainly driven by lack of knowledge or simple miscalculation. Instead, it results from the interaction of cognitive biases, everyday routines, moral attitudes, and market conditions such as promotions and package sizes. Key behavioural factors include the use of shopping lists, cooking frequency, trust in best-before dates, and willingness to pay more for quality. The findings also reveal strong socio-demographic differences: household size, age, and education significantly shape food-related behaviour and waste levels. Methodologically, the dissertation advances food waste research by combining quantity- and value-based indicators, applying mixed-effects models to capture individual and contextual heterogeneity, and highlighting limited comparability across studies due to inconsistent definitions and measurement approaches. The results suggest that current policy should move beyond generic awareness campaigns toward behaviour-oriented and structurally informed interventions. Promising approaches include activating social norms, creating feedback loops through digital stock-management tools, and regulating market incentives that encourage over-purchasing. Retailers should also bear greater responsibility for reducing structural drivers of waste. Overall, the dissertation contributes to household economics, consumer research, and sustainability policy by showing that reducing avoidable food waste requires both behavioural change and supportive institutional frameworks. It thus provides an evidence-based foundation for the implementation of SDG 12.3 and for a more resource-efficient food system.