Investigating factors on the intention to use mobile apps against food waste

In the context of environmental sustainability, food waste is a major challenge. Digitalization and especially the proliferation of smartphones suggest the use of mobile apps to address food waste. One of the most important apps in Europe and the US is Too Good To Go. However, consumer intentions to use apps like Too Good To Go are largely unexplored. Based on a survey of 380 respondents in Germany, this paper uses a structural equation model to investigate the influence of sustainable consumption consciousness, price consciousness, and hedonic benefits on the intention to use apps against food waste. The results show that neither sustainable consumption consciousness nor price consciousness significantly influence the intention to use apps against food waste. Users use apps against food waste mainly for hedonic reasons. The results indicate that not only users with sustainable consumption consciousness are willing to use apps against food waste in the interest of sustainability. This research paper therefore makes an important contribution for companies in the food sector to better understand the intentions of consumers who use mobile apps to combat food waste. Furthermore, the paper provides important insights for developers of such apps for future development.