Households' Food Waste Behavior Analysis: A Household Modelling Approach

Wasted food is a global problem that has implications for the environment, the economy, and society. FAO (2013) estimates that global food loss and waste amounts to 3.3 Giga tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, making it the third largest GHG emitter after the United States and China. Goal No. 12 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to "halve food waste worldwide and halve food losses in production and distribution systems by 2030". The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that the GCC countries generate around 11 million tons of food waste annually. According to the United Nations Food Waste Index Report 2021, household food waste in Oman is predicted to be 95kg per capita per year or 470,322 tonnes, in 2019. Consumer behavior also plays a role in food waste, with many people in the region considering purchasing more food than they need. The average composition of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Oman includes the highest percentage of organic food waste at 27%, which hurts food security, livelihoods, health care expenditures, and social value. The primary research objectives are studying FW-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and quantifying and analyzing household FW composition. This research aims to provide insights into the factors influencing consumers' food waste behavior by combining household consumption surveys, econometric or optimization models, and experimental economics techniques. The analysis will involve collecting data from household consumption surveys, which will be used to develop household econometric or optimization models to estimate the factors influencing household food waste behavior. Experimental economics techniques will also supplement the household consumption survey data and provide additional insights into household food waste behavior. Reducing food waste is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving resources, and addressing food insecurity. The United Nations Food Waste Index Report 2021 estimates that Oman's home food waste is 95 kg per person-year or 470,322 tonnes in 2019. This research will contribute to reducing food waste by considering consumers' motives, financial attitudes, planning routines, food surplus, social relationships, and cultural contexts.