With all these existing measures in place, what more can be done to bridge the gaps and further reduce the food waste problem in Singapore?
- More Incentives
The theory of operant conditioning expounds on the idea that rewards or punishment will result in a desire behaviour. The reduction in taxes on supermarkets or even providing incentives to supermarkets that have engage in surplus food donation or even in R&D of food waste treatments. The provision of incentives or reduced taxes will allow supermarkets, restaurants and other distributors and retailers to continue engaging in such positive behaviours. R&D would continue where more efficient way to treat and recycle food waste are explored, while surplus food donation to families and individuals in need in collaboration with NGOs.
- Food waste punshiment
Individuals can be made to pay for their food waste in restaurants or dining areas, especially in lunch time buffets. Due to the our perceived ability that we are able to eat alot as a result of our growing affluence, there is also more food waste generated on the plates of consumers. Hence, a small fee such as a 5% charge of the total bill can be implemented to individuals who waste food in dining areas as we should be held accountable of our actions in food waste.
- Passing on of the knowledege
As mentioned in the Consumer behaviour section, knowledge can be passed on among significant social others. But how can we start with the passing of the knowledge? Along with campaigns, education can start from young kids that may ensure the longevity of knowledge change. Outdoor classrooms such as learning journey and field trips to food waste management plants or even food distribution organisations will enable children and students about the process involved. Practical and problem solving skills in terms of projects such as designing food waste management disposal, can be added as students will utilise the learnt information. This will ensure the longevity of the knowledge learnt as what is learnt transferred onto a practical project.
- Cognitive Dissonance Theory
The cognitive dissonance theory states that individuals experiences a change in attitudes or behaviour in order to mediate the discomfort arising from confounding attitudes and behaviour. To successfully ensure that the attitudes and behaviours of individuals matches, individuals can be “forced” to engage in positive food waste behaviour such as on-site food waste segregation disposal, or even buying small portion of food in school or at canteens. By committing to such acts, the dissonance arises and the only way for the individuals to remove this discomfort would be the less intrusive way of changing their attitude. This see to the internalisation of the attitude on the importance of food waste management due to the impacts that it entails. However, this can be better achieved with the use of feedback and prompts along with the motivated goal in reducing food wastage as the attitude is constantly being brought into mind.