View in EDS

Food Waste Factors in University Restaurants: Evidence from Brazilian Students

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Food Waste Factors in University Restaurants: Evidence from Brazilian Students
Language: English
Authors: Elaine Aparecida Regiani de Campos, Wanda Maria Risso Günther, Jose Luis Duarte Ribeiro, Istefani Carísio de Paula, Carla Schwengber ten Caten
Source: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2026 27(6):1482-1502.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Food, College Students, Food Service, Dining Facilities, Conservation (Environment), College Role, Sanitation, Sustainability, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Instructional Program Divisions, Intellectual Disciplines, Knowledge Level, Context Effect, Student Behavior, Student Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Brazil
DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0581
ISSN: 1467-6370
1758-6739
Abstract: Purpose: Food waste is a global issue, with substantial amounts discarded daily by various stakeholders for numerous reasons. University dining facilities, where students are the primary consumers, are a significant source of this waste. Recognizing the importance of sustainability in higher education, the purpose of this study is to focus on understanding the sociodemographic variables and factors influencing organic waste management in university restaurants in Brazil. This study examines critical aspects such as students' environmental knowledge, awareness, perceptions of their university's sustainability efforts and waste handling practices. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a quantitative research approach, using survey-based data collection methods. The sample consisted of 5,710 students from universities across five regions of Brazil. The data were analyzed using Weighted Least Squares regression models to identify and evaluate the key factors influencing organic waste management. Findings: The findings of this study revealed that female students exhibit higher levels of environmental knowledge and awareness related to waste management, whereas male students demonstrate a stronger perception of their university's sustainability initiatives. Age emerged as a significant sociodemographic variable across all tested hypotheses, indicating that older students tend to be more environmentally conscious, possess greater environmental knowledge, have a more favorable perception of the university's environmental efforts and display a better understanding of waste segregation and management practices. Furthermore, the students' field of study was found to influence their environmental perspectives and behaviors. Originality/value: This study offers a unique perspective by focusing on the specific geographical context of Brazil, providing insights into organic waste management in university settings. The theoretical implications demonstrate how the research advances existing frameworks by integrating a regionally relevant and distinctive context. On the practical side, the findings provide actionable insights to help develop targeted policies and strategies that address the specific challenges and needs faced by managers of higher education institutions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507673
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1507673
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Food Waste Factors in University Restaurants: Evidence from Brazilian Students
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Elaine+Aparecida+Regiani+de+Campos%22">Elaine Aparecida Regiani de Campos</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wanda+Maria+Risso+Günther%22">Wanda Maria Risso Günther</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jose+Luis+Duarte+Ribeiro%22">Jose Luis Duarte Ribeiro</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Istefani+Carísio+de+Paula%22">Istefani Carísio de Paula</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carla+Schwengber+ten+Caten%22">Carla Schwengber ten Caten</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Sustainability+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 27(6):1482-1502.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 21
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Food%22">Food</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Food+Service%22">Food Service</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Dining+Facilities%22">Dining Facilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Conservation+%28Environment%29%22">Conservation (Environment)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Role%22">College Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sanitation%22">Sanitation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Age+Differences%22">Age Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Program+Divisions%22">Instructional Program Divisions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intellectual+Disciplines%22">Intellectual Disciplines</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Knowledge+Level%22">Knowledge Level</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Context+Effect%22">Context Effect</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Behavior%22">Student Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Brazil%22">Brazil</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0581
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1467-6370<br />1758-6739
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: Food waste is a global issue, with substantial amounts discarded daily by various stakeholders for numerous reasons. University dining facilities, where students are the primary consumers, are a significant source of this waste. Recognizing the importance of sustainability in higher education, the purpose of this study is to focus on understanding the sociodemographic variables and factors influencing organic waste management in university restaurants in Brazil. This study examines critical aspects such as students' environmental knowledge, awareness, perceptions of their university's sustainability efforts and waste handling practices. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a quantitative research approach, using survey-based data collection methods. The sample consisted of 5,710 students from universities across five regions of Brazil. The data were analyzed using Weighted Least Squares regression models to identify and evaluate the key factors influencing organic waste management. Findings: The findings of this study revealed that female students exhibit higher levels of environmental knowledge and awareness related to waste management, whereas male students demonstrate a stronger perception of their university's sustainability initiatives. Age emerged as a significant sociodemographic variable across all tested hypotheses, indicating that older students tend to be more environmentally conscious, possess greater environmental knowledge, have a more favorable perception of the university's environmental efforts and display a better understanding of waste segregation and management practices. Furthermore, the students' field of study was found to influence their environmental perspectives and behaviors. Originality/value: This study offers a unique perspective by focusing on the specific geographical context of Brazil, providing insights into organic waste management in university settings. The theoretical implications demonstrate how the research advances existing frameworks by integrating a regionally relevant and distinctive context. On the practical side, the findings provide actionable insights to help develop targeted policies and strategies that address the specific challenges and needs faced by managers of higher education institutions.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1507673
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1507673
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0581
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 1482
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Food
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Food Service
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Dining Facilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Conservation (Environment)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Role
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sanitation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sustainability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Age Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Program Divisions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intellectual Disciplines
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Context Effect
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Brazil
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Food Waste Factors in University Restaurants: Evidence from Brazilian Students
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Elaine Aparecida Regiani de Campos
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wanda Maria Risso Günther
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Jose Luis Duarte Ribeiro
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Istefani Carísio de Paula
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Carla Schwengber ten Caten
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1467-6370
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1758-6739
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 27
            – Type: issue
              Value: 6
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1