Abstract:
Household food waste is driven by consumer
habits and behaviour, varying with demographic,
social, and economic factors. This study aims to
determine whether household food waste is a
luxury good and identify how demographic and
socioeconomic factors affect household food
waste. A Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System
(QUAIDS) model was used, augmented with
demographic, socioeconomic, and expenditure
controls. Data from 195 respondents via an online
survey in the Kurunegala district (October 2022)
covered food habits and waste. Food categories
included rice, cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables,
meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and miscellaneous foods.
The value of Household food waste was estimated
using a proxy value derived from multiplying
waste amounts by monthly grocery expenditures.
The demand system estimation showed that all
food waste categories were normal goods. Rice,
cereals,
pulses,
fruits,
vegetables,
and
miscellaneous foods were necessity goods, while
meat, fish, dairy, and eggs were luxury goods.
Expenditure share on household food waste varies
with residence area and income level, and most
households practice waste management and have
positive attitudes toward minimizing waste.
