Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/316757 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17802
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper examines the link between dynamically inconsistent time preferences and individual food waste behavior. Food waste is conceptualized as unintentional outcome of choices along the food consumption chain. Capitalizing on a nationally representative longitudinal survey from Germany, we construct targeted metrics of food consumption and waste behaviors. We find that more present-biased individuals waste more food. Our study investigates the behavioral mechanism that involves postponing domestic consumption of healthy food despite good consumption intentions, resulting in food spoilage. Studying inconsistencies between grocery shopping and food preparation is pivotal for understanding the significant, persistent amounts of food waste within households.
Subjects: 
food waste
food consumption
dynamic inconsistency
healthy eating
JEL: 
D12
D15
Q53
Q18
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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