INDEX
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY



Analysis of Household Food Waste



       

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(1) Global and Regional Food Waste Data
  • Global: According to the FAO (2023), about 13% of food is lost along the supply chain, equivalent to 931 million tons annually.
  • Developed vs. Developing Countries: In developed countries, food waste mostly occurs at the consumer stage, while in developing countries it happens mainly post-harvest and during processing (FAO).

(2) Main Sources of Household Food Waste
  • Edible parts: leftovers, expired food, etc.
  • Inedible parts: fruit peels, vegetable leaves, tea leaves, coffee grounds, etc.
  • Example (Indonesia): 37.7% of household food waste is edible, while 62.3% is inedible (PLOS).

(3) Environmental Impact of Food Waste
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Food loss and waste generate 8–10% of global GHG emissions.
  • Methane Emissions: When landfilled, food waste produces methane, which has 28–36 times the climate impact of CO₂ (FAO).

  • → This highlights the need and purpose of my project: turning food waste into valuable materials.


Composition Analysis of Household Food Waste



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(1) Recyclable Components
  • Organic materials such as fruit peels, vegetable stems and leaves, coffee grounds, and tea residues — all suitable for home composting or DIY biomaterial production.



(2) Non-Recyclable or Hard-to-Treat Components
  • Processed foods containing fats, oils, seasonings, or plastic packaging residues are not compostable and are costly to treat.


    Consumer Behavior and Awareness Research

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    (1) Main Causes of Household Food Waste
    • Over-purchasing: 70% of UK consumers admit buying food that ends up wasted (The Sun).
    • Ignoring expiration dates: 18% of consumers do not check expiry dates.
    • Changing plans: 24% waste food due to changes in daily routines.

    (2) Consumer Waste Disposal Habits
    • Waste sorting: Are households willing to separate compostable and recyclable food waste?
      Case study: In Perth, Australia, the FOGO system encourages residents to place food and garden waste into green-lid bins for composting and resource recovery (News AU).
    • Home composting: Many consumers show interest but few practice it regularly.
    • DIY biomaterial making: Some express curiosity about converting food waste into useful materials, such as bioplastics or paper.

    Consumers’ willingness to pay for eco-friendly products depends on functionality and price. While some enjoy DIY sustainability projects, most prefer ready-made green alternatives.

    (3) Acceptance of DIY Sustainable Products
    • Are consumers willing to pay more for eco-friendly items?
    • Do they prefer ready-made products or DIY participation?


      Policies and Market Trends


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      (1) Food Waste Management Policies
      • Are there national or regional policies supporting food waste recycling and resource reuse?
      • Are there subsidies or incentives for related innovations?

      (2) Bioplastic Market Trends
      • The global bioplastics market is expanding rapidly, covering bio-based and biodegradable plastics, widely applied in packaging, automotive, agriculture, consumer goods, and healthcare (Global Growth Insights).

      Case Study – Japan:
      Japan implemented the Basic Act for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society in 2001, promoting a shift from a linear to a circular production model. The law requires the government and stakeholders to maximize resource recycling and minimize environmental impact through proper waste management. Specific measures are outlined in the Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources and the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law. Local governments can set detailed guidelines, fee systems, and targets for recycling and reuse (East Asia).








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