X-1 WASTING FOOD – AN INSISTENT BEHAVIOUR

ABSTRACT: The wastage of food occurs at all stages of the life cycle of food, starting from harvesting, through processing and production via trade and finally consumption. Some of the incurred food wastes are not suitable for human consumption any more, while others could be eaten without restrictions. The paper focuses on the latter food waste and reports about food waste in different stages of the life cycle of food in general, the reasons of wasting food with special focus on household level, the impact on waste management systems and on the environment, on the difficulties to overcome food wasting behaviour and options to design prevention measures. Also the ethical issues of wasting food are discussed by taking e.g. donation for people in need or formation of social groups like freegans into account