Abstract

PINHO, Inês et al. Consumer profile towards waste and reuse of fruit and vegetables in a domestic environment. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2015, n.2, pp.08-12. ISSN 2183-5985.

It is currently recognized the contribution of consumption step in the estimated amount of food waste in Portugal. A sociological and behavioral approach can give advantages in the exploration and understanding of this phenomenon in a familiar environment. The aim of the study was to characterize the consumer profile of a Portuguese hypermarket chain related to the waste and reuse of fruit and vegetables in a domestic environment. 184 consumers were indirectly surveyed in different stores, appealing to knowledge of socio-demographic data, consumption habits, frequency of fruit and vegetable waste and their reuse. An index of waste frequency and an index of fruit and vegetables reuse were calculated, based on the survey questions related to this topic. A binary logistic regression was made to evaluate the effect of socio-demographic data and consumer habits in the two indexes mentioned. In multivariate analysis, age and geographical area held a significant influence in both indexes. It was found that consumers coming from the central and southern areas of the country had reported a less frequency of waste, and simultaneously most reuse. It was also found that individuals with higher age had a less frequency of waste, but also smaller reuse.

Keywords : Consumer; Food waste; Fruit and vegetables; Portugal; Food reuse.

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