Behavioural and Socioeconomic Drivers of Household Food Waste in Ireland: Evidence for Targeted Food Policy

Households have been reported to account for more than a third of food waste (FW) generated in the most developed and high-income countries. Despite this, there remains a limited understanding of the behavioural and sociodemographic factors driving household food waste (HFW) generation in most countries, including the Republic of Ireland (ROI). This study therefore examined how behavioural practices and sociodemographic characteristics independently and interactively influence HFW generation in the ROI. Data from a national online survey (n = 966 households; 3163 individuals) were analysed using hierarchical quantile regression. Households with children (Mixed households) reported the highest HFW (1177 g/household/week), and single-adult households recorded the highest per capita median waste (females = 596.0 g/cap/week and males = 496.5 g/cap/week). Behavioural factors were stronger predictors than sociodemographic characteristics. Reliance on date labels was the strongest predictor of HFW, associated with an additional 239 g/week. Each additional weekly shopping trip was associated with 140 g/week more waste, whereas using a shopping list was associated with 42 g/week less waste. Some effects were moderated by sociodemographic factors: reliance on date labels was more strongly associated with waste among adults aged 18-24, and shopping frequency more strongly associated with waste in middle-income households. The findings point to the value of reforming date labelling, supporting more planned shopping, and encouraging the active reuse of leftovers, with attention to differences across household groups. The findings also have direct implications for Ireland's obligations under SDG 12.3 and the EU Waste Framework Directive.