THRIFTLESSNESS AND FOOD WASTE IN HOUSEHOLDS IN POLAND WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PODKARPACKIE VOIVODESHIP

Abstract

This article investigates the phenomenon of food waste and thriftlessness in Polish households. The authors attempted to determine the extent of thriftlessness and food waste on international, regional, and local scales. Research on food waste was carried out from December 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. A questionnaire was used to conduct the research. Three hundred and ten respondents from towns and villages located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship of various ages and levels of education took part in this study. The research methods used were a diagnostic survey and an analysis of the literature. The survey was conducted in a written interview, while the research tool was a questionnaire. Research shows that the number of people who admitted to throwing away food is constantly increasing. This trend is expected to continue, and food waste will increase rapidly. Therefore, all possible countermeasures should be taken to draw consumers’ attention to the problem of food waste and how it can be reduced. This study contributes to the literature on food waste around the world by demonstrating the problem occurring at global and local levels. The research and conclusions may determine future research directions and provide the basis for larger-scale research (both in terms of the number of respondents and the area of research).