Private Household Food Waste & How to Reduce It

Abstract: More than one-third of all food produced is wasted in the food chain from production to consumption, where private households represent the largest food waste faction. In turn, water, fertilizer and cropland efficiency is wasted as well. Investigating the stated problem, this paper’s aim is to reduce food waste. Using a user-centered design iteration approach, observing, ideating, prototyping in different levels of quality, and testing all produced content puts the user in the midst of the process. Throughout the process, regards to the smartphone stress all live in today have been taken. The Kotlin-language Android application created utilizes the camera to scan users’ receipts. The groceries are then stored in the application, making it easy to keep track of the inventory. The application also offers recipes that are generated based on the current grocery inventory and the user is also advised on how to better store, and use groceries in order to reduce the food wasted. Focusing on solving a problem in everyday life for regular people is done, keeping track and utilizing current groceries not contributing to food waste and also saving money, hence nudging users toward an environmentally healthier lifestyle. Nudging, letting the user have full freedom of choice but making the better alternative easier to choose, can implicitly help people be more environmentally friendly, and should be used in other areas concerning the environment as well.