IFWASTE: An Agent-Based Model for the Estimation of Household Food Waste

Household food waste (HFW) is a major contributor to global food loss, making its reduction a priority for policymakers, businesses, and organizations. Accurate waste estimates and an understanding of their drivers are essential, yet current data are inconsistent due to different quantification methods. This study introduces the open-source, Integrated Food Waste (IFWASTE) agent-based model. IFWASTE is the first agent-based model to quantify household food waste by both weight and composition, incorporating behavioral factors such as the Theory of Planned Behavior and socioeconomic variables. Simulations of 10,000 households over 100 days show substantial variability in food waste, with an average of 0.23 to 0.33 kg per capita per day, depending on the number of kids. This estimate aligns with previously reported empirical data. The IFWASTE model also analyzes both individual HFW behavior over time and broader neighborhood-level patterns, supporting evidence-based reduction strategies.