2023

Food Waste: National attitudes and behaviours survey 2022

Abstract

Behavioural insight is a foundation of the EPA’s Circular Economy Programme, providing evidence to inform policy, behavioural change interventions and awareness campaigns. The EPA contracted Ipsos B&A to carry out quantitative research, which is a nationally representative survey on Irish citizen's attitudes, awareness and behaviours relating to food waste. This survey builds on similar national attitudes and behaviour studies conducted in 2020 and 2021. A fourth national attitudes and behaviour study was carried out in 2024. The study provides evidence on how households manage food, helping to build a better understanding of the behaviours and practices associated with food waste. The survey topic areas are presented in a series of five reports: 1. Food waste and national attitudes, 2. Food management behaviours at home, 3. Food management behaviours in the shop, 4. Food management knowledge and 5. Food waste concerns and future intentions.

Authors

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Conducted by

EPA Circular Economy Programme and Ipsos B&A

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Methods

The fieldwork for the online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,013 adults ages 16+ was carried out in October & November 2022.

Main Findings

The series examines a range of food waste topics, including food waste and national attitudes, food management behaviours at home, food management behaviours in the shop, food management knowledge and food waste concerns and future knowledge. The results are presented in infographic form with raw data files available to download.

EPA Market Research Food Waste

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland is the independent public body responsible for protecting and improving the Irish environment. Established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, the agency operates independently under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. It provides crucial scientific knowledge, polices green laws, and regulates activities that could harm human health or nature.