Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology

Gyula Kasza, Annamária Dorkó, Atilla Kunszabó and Dávid Szakos
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Gyula Kasza: Risk Management Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, 1024 Budapest, Hungary
Annamária Dorkó: Risk Management Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, 1024 Budapest, Hungary
Atilla Kunszabó: Risk Management Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, 1024 Budapest, Hungary
Dávid Szakos: Department of Veterinary Forensics and Economics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 1078 Budapest, Hungary

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: Household food waste accounts for the most significant part of total food waste in economically developed countries. In recent times, this issue has gained recognition in the international research community and policy making. In light of the Sustainable Development Goals of FAO, mandatory reporting on food waste has been integrated into European legislation, as a basis of preventive programs. The paper presents the results of research that aimed to quantify the food waste generated by Hungarian households. Research methodology was based on the EU compliant FUSIONS recommendations. In total, 165 households provided reliable data with detailed waste logs. Households were supported by kitchen scales, measuring glasses, and a manual. Based on the extrapolation of the week-long measurement, the average food waste was estimated to be 65.49 kg per capita annually, of which the avoidable part represented 48.81%. Within the avoidable part, meals, bakery products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dairy products are accountable for 88% of the mass. This study was a replication of the first Hungarian household food waste measurement conducted in 2016 with the same methodology. Between the two periods, a 4% decrease was observed. The findings, for instance the dominant share of meals in food waste, should be put in focus during preventive campaigns. National level food waste measurement studies using the FUSIONS methodology should be fostered by policy makers to establish the foundations of effective governmental interventions and allow for the international benchmarking of preventive actions.

Keywords: household food waste; food waste measurement; food waste composition; sustainable consumption; consumer research; consumer behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3069-:d:344220

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