Investigating consumers’ food waste behaviors: An extended theory of planned behavior of Turkey sample

Abstract

Food waste leads to severe environmental, social, and economic consequences. Several factors affect the consumer's food waste intention and behavior. The ideal way to explain these factors is to evaluate them within the Theory of Planned Behavior scope. This study evaluates consumers' intentions and behaviors to prevent food waste through an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior. Moreover, the study aims to reveal the effects of the donation, injunctive norms, guilt, attitude, concern, and perceived behavioral control variables on the Intention not to waste food. To this end, a survey was distributed to 400 people by convenience sampling, and 335 valid questionnaires were evaluated. The effect of consumers' donation habits on the intention is insignificant and concern has a significant negative effect on Intention. Guilt, behavioral control, injunctive norms, and attitude variables have a significant effect on the Intention not to waste, and the injunctive norm is an essential factor in the intention not to Waste Food. Behavioral control and Intention have a significant effect on behavior.