Unraveling Factors Affecting Food Waste Globally: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis

This study utilizes a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis, following the PRISMA method, to explore behavioral and contextual factors influencing food wastage based on literature published from 2019 to 2024. It identifies key determinants such as perceived control, consumer intention, attitudes, subjective norms, religiosity, and household dynamics. Perceived control notably correlates with up to a 20% reduction in household food waste. The research highlights a scholarly trend towards incorporating sustainability into the food supply chain, with a focus on bioenergy recovery from waste. It also examines sociodemographic, cultural, and psychological influences on food wastage behaviors across various regions, illustrating the complexity of these behaviors and the need for tailored, region-specific approaches. The findings advocate for an interdisciplinary strategy that merges design, technology, and behavioral science to enhance food waste management systems. Such strategies should be adaptable to different cultural contexts and aim to minimize ecological footprints, supporting global sustainability goals. The implications suggest that policymakers and practitioners should develop sustainable, design-oriented solutions that account for local behaviors and systemic capacities to effectively curb food waste. This approach promotes culturally sensitive and environmentally sound interventions, leading to significant reductions in global food wastage.