From regulation to behaviour: European Union approaches to reducing household food waste.

This study examines the regulatory framework and practical measures adopted by the European Union to reduce household food waste, an important step in achieving sustainability and circular economy goals. Domestic food waste accounts for over half of the total food lost in the European Union, making consumer behaviour a key policy concern. The method used in this study involves desk research in the form of analysing documents such as European Union and Member State legislation, policies, strategies, and Commission communications, as well as conducting an academic literature search. The research questions are: (1) In the European Union, which rules directly or indirectly contribute to reducing food waste at the household level?; (2) What are the most common practices for reducing household food waste in the European Union Member States? Key findings indicate that, although no European Union law specifically targets households, several instruments are converging, and governance architectures are becoming more coordinated. Furthermore, scholarly studies, such as surveys on the quantification of household food waste, provide empirical evidence to inform policy design aimed at reducing food waste. These outcomes demonstrate that the EU is taking a multi-layered approach (legal, behavioural, and collaborative) to reducing household food waste. This integrated model is highly relevant to scholars of sustainability governance and policymakers seeking to reconcile consumer behaviour with binding environmental targets.