Woman preparing meal with daughter

Food waste research

Research helps us understand why food waste exists and how we can help households, communities and businesses tackle the problem.

Love Food Hate Waste Tracking Survey

We’ve been surveying NSW households since 2009, to gain an insight into community knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about food waste. The latest tracking report shows that 76% of NSW households said that they were motivated to reduce their food waste, with saving money the main motivating factor. 

Tracking survey reports

 

To find out more about our research, get in touch.

 

Food waste management post Covid -19


Following the outbreak of Covid-19, life became very unusual for us all. One of the many changes that we may have experienced during this period was our relationship with food. We undertook a study in the early stages of the pandemic to see how people’s practices towards food, and the food supply chain, had changed. 


The study found that half of those living in NSW enjoyed cooking and preparing food. This was heightened during the pandemic, with 37% valuing food more and 44% of people more interested in where food comes from. 


People were also picking up positive behaviours that help reduce food waste. The study found that:

  •  30% were checking the food they already have before leaving the house to shop more often.
  •  24% were freezing food more often to extend its shelf life. 
  •  20% were thinking more about the best way to store food to keep it as fresh as possible.  

These are all behaviours that we can continue in a post Covid world.

Download a copy of the study.

Download a copy of our Covid Survey Graphic

 

EPA supported research

Other research