Nudging Householders to Reduce Avoidable Food Waste: The OzHarvest Use It Up Tape

Abstract

Targeting households with food waste reduction interventions represents a critical opportunity to meet global targets to halve food loss and waste. While the evidence base on the effectiveness of food waste interventions is growing generally, less is known about the outcomes of household-focused interventions. This mixed methods study explores how households experienced a behaviourally orientated nudge (the OzHarvest Use it Up TapeTM) and examines its impact on food waste and behaviour change. The “Tape” served multiple functions for households—including as a visual prompt, a labelling device, a planning tool, and a communication tool—and was more effective for large families and for individuals who were disorganised when shopping and cooking. Significant reductions were also identified in participants’ fresh vegetable and fruit waste and in the total food amounts they wasted. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of behaviourally orientated nudges, like the Tape, in reducing food waste.