Identifying factors that promote consumer behaviours causing expired domestic food waste

Many commentators argue that domestic food waste is strongly influenced by consumer behaviours. This article reports on a study using mixed-methods to identify key factors responsible for promoting consumer behaviours that lead to domestic food waste through the lens of the value-belief-norm theory. On the basis of the study's findings, three factors are proposed that cause behaviours that lead to food waste: supply knowledge - does a consumer know what food they have available location knowledge - does a consumer know where to locate food items; and food literacy - to what degree do past experience and acquired knowledge impact on a consumer's food consumption and wastage practices. We analyse the study's findings in light of a review of literature about consumer food wastage behaviours and in turn, present new insights into consumer behaviour, food waste and the use of technology to reduce food waste.