Impact of Covid-19 on Household Food Waste: The Case of Italy.

ABSTRACT: Covid-19 has significantly affected people's food purchasing and consumption habits. Fears of disruptions in the food supply chain have caused an increase in the quantity and type of food bought by households. However, increases in food purchases could give rise to food waste with negative ramifications for the environment in terms of greenhouse emissions and groundwater pollution. To assess whether household food waste has changed during Covid-19 lockdown, we conducted a nationwide survey of household food purchasers in Italy. Although the amount of food purchases increased during the lockdown, our results show that food waste actually decreased as people mainly bought more non-perishable food. Interestingly, concerns about the impact that the pandemic could have on the waste management s

SUBMITTER: Pappalardo G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7738320 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature