Disentangling the sources and scale of food waste in households: A diary-based analysis in Lithuania

Food waste is a critical issue demanding concern due its detrimental impact on the environment, the economy, and social well-being. In higher income countries, the greatest amount of food is wasted in households. To tackle the issue of household food waste, it is essential to characterize and measure this waste. This study develops and applies a diary -based approach for measuring food waste at the household level. The case of a country from the Central and Eastern Europe - Lithuania - is considered. The respondents from 130 households provided data on the extent and composition of food waste along with the root causes of this waste. The results suggest that the average annual food waste per person in Lithuanian households stands at 74.5 kg. The main categories of food wasted include meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, drinks, and bakery. The major causes behind this include spoilt food, excessive preparation and servings, expiry, and taste -based rejection. Reducing household food waste requires a combination of policy instruments. In particular, statistics on food waste and information and educational campaigns could be useful in initiating behavioural changes related to food waste, which would ultimately contribute to reducing food waste in households.