Nine out of ten Italians express concern over food waste and its impact on sustainability
In a recent study conducted by EngageMinds Hub, a research center in consumer psychology and health at the Catholic University of Cremona, it has been found that Italians are increasingly adopting sustainable behaviors in their food consumption. This shift reflects a growing awareness of environmental and health impacts.
Key trends emerging from the study include:
- Preference for locally sourced and seasonal foods, which helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and storage.
- Increasing attention to food waste reduction, with a focus on meal planning and reusing leftovers.
- Growth in consumption of plant-based foods and reduction of animal products, driven by sustainability concerns as well as health benefits.
- Higher interest in organic and ethically produced foods, with consumers willing to pay a premium for products that align with environmental and social values.
These behaviors align with broader engagement trends in sustainability education and activism among younger populations, as observed in Italian university settings. Here, sustainability is integrated into curricula and lifestyle initiatives, fostering more conscious consumption habits.
The study also reveals that two-thirds of Italians show a greater inclination towards sustainability than convenience in their daily behaviors. Left-wing individuals, university graduates, and women are more inclined to adopt sustainable food behaviors. Specifically, 79% of left-wing individuals, 78% of university graduates, and 77% of women are more likely to adopt sustainable food practices.
While the study does not provide a comparison between the sustainability inclination of Italians and other demographics or countries, it offers a glimpse into the potential for a sustainable society in Italy. The study does not provide details about the methods used for data collection or analysis, and no long-term projections or implications of the increased sustainability inclination among Italians are offered.
The study also does not mention any specific sustainable behaviors related to meat consumption that are more popular among Italians compared to others. Only 34% of Italians declare that they are oriented to reduce meat consumption. However, it is important to note that this percentage may not fully represent the actual number of Italians adopting sustainable food behaviors, as the study does not provide the exact number of Italians surveyed for the research.
The greater attention towards food waste is also strongly influenced by economic factors, with Italians increasingly poor and looking for more frugal consumption approaches. Seven out of ten Italians declare that they adopt sustainable behaviors, including reducing waste for 89% of the sample and buying seasonal products for 80%.
In conclusion, the EngageMinds Hub study suggests that sustainable food choices — including reduced meat consumption, preference for local/organic foods, and efforts to minimize waste — are increasingly prominent among Italian consumers. Further research and access to the original EngageMinds Hub publication may provide more detailed numerical data and comprehensive study output.
- The cooking lifestyle of Italians shows a significant shift towards sustainable living, with a growing preference for locally sourced and seasonal food-and-drink products.
- Home-and-garden practices in Italy also reflect this sustainable mindset, as evidenced by the increasing attention paid to food waste reduction and meal planning.
- The study further reveals that Italians adopt sustainable food-and-drink practices beyond just the kitchen, with higher interest in organic and ethically produced foods that align with their environmental and social values.
