How to prevent food waste behaviour? A deep empirical research

Food waste has recently emerged as a threat that has negative economic, social, and environmental consequences. Therefore, this study aims to reveal the effect of the intention to avoid food waste (IAFW) on food waste behavior (FWB) and the mediating role of the variables of awareness, knowledge, and habits in terms of these relations. The results of the structural equation model analysis show that the intention to avoid food waste and habits have an essential role in preventing waste behaviour. It is seen that if awareness can be supported by IAFW, then FWB can be reduced. Also, knowledge alone cannot contribute to the FWB, however, knowledge has a significant and negative effect on FWB, when habits and intention were mediators. In another finding that distinguishes the study, it has been revealed that married and women categories should be the most prestigious groups among the demographic variables from the point of the FWB. Theoretical and managerial implications were discussed, and future suggestions were presented. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd