20 households assess and reduce their food waste

ADEME conducted an observational and intervention study with 27 households from Aix-en-Provence, Nantes Métropole and Aulnay-Sous-Bois between April and July 2014 to assess complete costs of food waste. During a three-week baseline period, households’ food waste was monitored without intervention. After receiving individualized feedback, 20 households applied waste reduction practices for a two-week period. The study calculated total financial costs—covering product value, transport, storage, preparation and disposal—and greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste. Results revealed an average waste cost of EUR 159 per person per year (7.7% of food expenditure) and a 44% reduction in wasted food weight following the intervention.