Consumer behaviour types in household food waste

Abstract Greater consumer choice and the greater share of income available for food have undoubtedly contributed to increasing the phenomenon of food waste. Food waste is at the centre of intense debate in the scientific world. Food waste at the consumption stage is a direct consequence of consumer buying behaviour. This makes the analysis of domestic food waste particularly interesting, as there are great opportunities for interventions to reduce it. To shed light on the phenomenon of food waste in rural towns and assess the level of knowledge of the economic, environmental and ethical consequences of food waste by consumers residing in such contexts, qualitative research and empirical analysis were carried out through the administration of a questionnaire in rural areas of Campania. Multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis were performed on the data collected. For each consumer profile identified through the analysis, appropriate waste reduction policies should be adopted. The results of the analysis make it possible to identify specific factors leading to food waste in rural areas, and what action could be taken by public and private stakeholders to reduce food waste.