The global economic and regulatory determinants of household food waste generation: A cross-country analysis. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chalak, Ali; Abou-Daher, Chaza; Chaaban, Jad; Abiad, Mohamad G.
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 48(2016)
• Page Start: 418
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Household food waste -- Cross-country -- Economic incentives -- Legislative framework; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.11.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: We explore the determinants of household food waste generation across 44 countries. We examine the impact of regulatory and economic incentives on food waste generation. With effective regulatory measures, economic incentives have limited influence in reducing waste. Abstract: Food is generally wasted all along the supply chain, with an estimated loss of 35 percent generated at the consumer level. Consequently, household food waste constitutes a sizable proportion of the total waste generated throughout the food supply chain. Yet such wastes vary drastically between developed and developing countries. Using data collected from 44 countries with various income levels, this paper investigates the impact of legislation and economic incentives on household food waste generation. The obtained results indicate that well-defined regulations, policies and strategies are more effective than fiscal measures in mitigating household food waste generation.