The influence of mindfulness on sustainable consumption: the context of household food waste
Creators: name: Phan, Nhat Tram
Publisher: name: RMIT University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 470199
subject: Communication and media studies not elsewhere classified

description: Sustainable consumption has gained significant attention in both research and policymaking within the context of sustainable development. However, the transition towards sustainable consumption is far from a simple endeavour because it encompasses multifaceted challenges deeply intertwined with interrelated social-ecological influences. Many existing approaches focus primarily on information provision or financial incentives that show limited effectiveness. This is partly because these approaches overlook the complex social and psychological influences that shape consumer behaviour. Therefore, it is crucial to explore alternative approaches that go beyond surface-level interventions and systemically address the multifaceted challenges associated with sustainable consumption. 

This thesis explores the impact of Ethical Mindfulness as an alternative to address the social and psychological influences that drive sustainable consumption. It presents the mechanism of Ethical Mindfulness in reducing household food waste. The meta-research question underpinning this research is: Can sustainable consumption, such as reducing food waste, be enhanced by mindfulness? This question was addressed through five separate studies, each targeting a specific sub-research question (RQ): RQ1) Who is the Sustainable Consumer? RQ2) What are the definitions and research domains of mindfulness? RQ3) What are consumer perceptions and behaviours related to food waste and food packaging? RQ4) How can mindful interaction with packaging reduce food waste? and RQ5) How can yoga, as a mindfulness practice, influence food waste perceptions and behaviours? Each RQ is the centre of a unique study and paper. 

Study 1 identifies the profile of the SC and examines the influences that shape their behaviour, thereby addressing RQ1. It forms the basis for understanding how mindfulness impacts these influences within the SC social-ecological system. In this study, I conducted a comprehensive literature review by incorporating systems thinking and social-ecological frameworks to understand SCs. This resulted in the Integrated Model of the Sustainable Consumer (IMSC) consolidating literature on SC influences and their connection to the environment and community. Paper 1 entitled “An Integrated Model of Sustainable Consumer” has been peer-reviewed by the Sustainable Production and Consumption journal (Scimago Q1, with an H-index of 60), revisions are pending.  

Study 2 defines mindfulness and its research domains to explore its facets and characteristics in relation to enhancing sustainable consumption, thereby addressing RQ2. In this study, I employed a two-stage methodology, including a scoping review and content mapping. The results revealed four domains of mindfulness research: mental health, behavioural change, cognitive neuroscience, and ethical mindfulness. Amongst these domains, Ethical Mindfulness was a central focus of this thesis because its ethical properties demonstrated benefits to addressing the interrelated influences of sustainable consumption. Paper 2 has been published and is entitled: “The search for scientific meaning in mindfulness research: Insights from a scoping review” on PLoS ONE (Scimago Q1 with an H-index of 404).

Study 3 provides the background of reducing food waste as the research context of the thesis, thereby addressing RQ3. The main goal of this study was to establish the foundation for data collection and analysis in subsequent empirical studies. I conducted a systematised literature review of the existing scholarly and industry discussion of household food waste, packaging technologies to reduce food waste and consumer perceptions. It was discovered that several primary reasons for food waste stemmed from consumers’ lack of mindfulness during the planning, shopping, and storage stages. Additionally, the study revealed that consumers were not fully aware of the negative impact of food waste and the importance of packaging in reducing it. Paper 3 has been published as a journal article entitled: “The role of packaging in fighting food waste: A systematised review of consumer perceptions of packaging” in the Journal of Cleaner Production (Scimago Q1 with an H-index of 268). 
  
The final two empirical studies, 4 and 5, investigate the impact of mindfulness on sustainable consumption patterns in the specific context of household food waste, thereby addressing RQ4 and RQ5. Study 4 aims to understand how mindful interaction with packaging can reduce food waste by investigating the relationship between mindful consumption patterns and sustainable consumption outcomes. In-depth interviews were undertaken in consumers’ homes, focusing on how consumers engage with food packaging and food waste. Study 4 established that mindful habits with packaging could mediate the tension between consumers’ belief in the packaging in saving food and their concern about the packaging being wasteful. It proposed three categories of food packaging designs: Good, Bad, and Ugly that could assist or prevent mindful consumption patterns. Paper 4 has been published as a journal article entitled “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Food Packaging and Consumers” on Sustainability (Scimago Q1 with an H-index of 136).
 
Study 5 explores the mechanisms of Ethical Mindfulness, specifically through yoga practice, in enhancing sustainable consumption. By comparing the perceptions and behaviours of yoga practitioners and non-practitioners, this study investigated how Ethical Mindfulness cultivated through yoga can influence consumer decisions regarding food waste. Results indicated the mechanism of Ethical Mindfulness in driving influences in the SC’s multidimensional system. These include fostering environmental values, developing communities, establishing sustainable habits, and disrupting wasteful routines. However, these are context-dependent and require support from external influences in the consumers’ system. Paper 5, entitled “Pathways to sustainable consumption: EM and household food waste” is in the later stages of the drafting process and its submission to the Journal of Cleaner Production is planned by the end of 2023 (Scimago Q1 with an H-index of 268).
 
This thesis provides valuable insights into the mechanism of Ethical Mindfulness in reducing food waste, making a significant contribution to the field of sustainable consumption and mindfulness. By adopting a systemic perspective, it acknowledges the multifaceted nature of sustainable consumption and explores the connection between Ethical Mindfulness and sustainable behaviour. Specifically, the findings show the impact of Ethical Mindfulness on consumer decision patterns and suggest redesigned packaging solutions that align with mindful consumption patterns. Policymakers and practitioners could apply this systemic approach to implement Ethical Mindfulness, supported by redesigning infrastructure, to uphold ethical and sustainable consumption practices, as a targeted and effective strategy for promoting sustainable consumption.