Household food waste behaviour in EU-27 countries: A multilevel analysis

- Food waste at consumer level is a fairly new research topic.
- We explore EU-27 individuals' food waste behaviour by means of multilevel models.
- Modelling country heterogeneity allows for setting of intervention priorities.
- Degree of urbanization should be considered for policies at sub-national level.
- Waste sorting practices are positively associated with food waste reduction.

A large amount of food is lost along the entire food supply chain, causing serious environmental, economic and social impacts and most food is wasted during the final consumption phase especially in industrialized countries. Starting from the analysis of the main regulations and initiatives at various administrative levels and by introducing a two-level framework for modelling complex household food waste behaviour, this paper aims at investigating the behaviour of EU-27 citizens towards food waste by referring to the 2013 Flash Eurobarometer survey (n. 388).The multilevel statistical perspective enabled us to jointly consider factors at both individual and contextual levels as potential variables associated with food waste.Firstly, by analysing territorial variability it was possible to identify groups of countries characterized by similar behaviour patterns and therefore target them according to the need and exigency of public policy interventions.Secondly, at individual level it was observed that people living in towns and large cities tend to produce more waste thus emphasizing the need of diversifying policy interventions at local level according to the extent of urbanization. Moreover, education level, sorting practices, attitudes and concern regarding food waste proved to be associated with individuals' behaviour towards food waste.Thirdly, public-private partnerships as well as targeting community-based interventions to address food waste should be encouraged.