To waste or not to waste : food waste governance in Lund municipality in 2018

Abstract: Food waste is a growing global problem. Even in Sweden, being one of the most sustainable countries in the world, the food waste levels are high. Understanding the role of local governance is crucial to tackle the problem of food waste. By using a simplified A-B-C (attitude-behaviour-conditions) framework, I explore Lund municipality prior to the general elections of 2018 and its governance system focused on later stages of the food supply chain - distribution and consumption (where in industrialised countries most of the food waste occurs). Moreover, the thesis sheds light on different strategies focused on food waste prevention and reduction. Additionally, the analysis touches upon the issue of attitudes and behaviour associated with food waste. Apart from semi-structured interviews with public officials that is the main research method, municipal policies, strategies, and plans were used as the source of data for the analysis. The results of the analysis present the overall governance structure and levels of responsibility within the municipality related to the food waste problem. The findings reveal the areas the municipality works on the food waste issue: on the distributional stage, the work focuses on supermarket chains and public procurement, whereas on the consumption stage focus lies primarily on households, restaurants, and municipal kitchens. Therefore, there are many ways the municipality can work on food waste reduction and prevention on the later stages of the food supply chain; however, as was found out the most power to positively influence the issue of food waste lies within public procurement and work organised at the municipal kitchens. Although household food waste proved to be the largest source of food waste, little could be done to influence behaviour of individuals. Attitudes and behaviour related to food waste in the municipality, as was identified by the interviewees, focus on issues of labelling, packaging, lack of knowledge, internal communication, canteen designs, the perception of food. Further research could be necessary to understand how the general election of 2018 affected the work related to food waste in Lund municipality. Additionally, the behaviour and attitude to food waste can be studied in greater depth.