Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology
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...
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doaj-440f738a001b49c3b0ea76a2d98473972020-11-25T03:54:24ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502020-04-01123069306910.3390/su12083069Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS MethodologyGyula Kasza0Annamária Dorkó1Atilla Kunszabó2Dávid Szakos3Risk Management Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, 1024 Budapest, HungaryRisk Management Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, 1024 Budapest, HungaryRisk Management Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, 1024 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Veterinary Forensics and Economics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 1078 Budapest, HungaryHousehold 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/8/3069household food wastefood waste measurementfood waste compositionsustainable consumptionconsumer researchconsumer behavior |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Gyula Kasza Annamária Dorkó Atilla Kunszabó Dávid Szakos |
spellingShingle |
Gyula Kasza Annamária Dorkó Atilla Kunszabó Dávid Szakos Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology Sustainability household food waste food waste measurement food waste composition sustainable consumption consumer research consumer behavior |
author_facet |
Gyula Kasza Annamária Dorkó Atilla Kunszabó Dávid Szakos |
author_sort |
Gyula Kasza |
title |
Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology |
title_short |
Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology |
title_full |
Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology |
title_fullStr |
Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology |
title_full_unstemmed |
Quantification of Household Food Waste in Hungary: A Replication Study Using the FUSIONS Methodology |
title_sort |
quantification of household food waste in hungary: a replication study using the fusions methodology |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sustainability |
issn |
2071-1050 |
publishDate |
2020-04-01 |
description |
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. |
topic |
household food waste food waste measurement food waste composition sustainable consumption consumer research consumer behavior |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/8/3069 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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