Engage in behaviour change and industry training.

Our ENGAGE research program was completed in early 2025. Over 7 years, ENGAGE led Australia’s most comprehensive research in consumer food waste behaviours. A key highlight was the four-year study that identified the most common food waste behaviours in Australian homes, pinpointed target households and uncovered the most effective messaging for reducing food waste – this then informed The Great Unwaste nationwide consumer behaviour change campaign. ENGAGE also helped foster future food waste leaders, supporting 35 PhD and Master’s students through the Future Leaders Program. 

 

 

Our Research

Completed Program
Activities

  • Completed 13 research projects
  • Developed household and business behaviour change resources and a knowledge base that underpins The Great Unwaste campaign
  • Identified and tested household food waste interventions
  • Supported PhD and Master’s students through the Future Leaders Program

Projected
Impact

13

research projects completed

35

PhD & Masters Students Supported thorough the Future Leaders Program

Case Studies

Top interventions for household food waste reduction

A four-year study including stakeholder engagement identified the evidence-based priorities to focus on including the most common food waste behaviours in Australian homes that resulted in confirmed food waste reduction.

“We know Australians don’t want to waste food and that they welcome more support on how to do this effectively. This research highlights the important role community-based interventions play in combatting household food waste and provides practical insights into the best approaches to do this,” say lead research Dr Gamithri Karunasena.

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Completed Research Projects

WWW (WHAT, WHERE AND WHY) OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD WASTE BEHAVIOUR

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DESIGNING EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE HOUSEHOLD FOOD WASTE

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FOOD WASTE REDUCTION ROADMAP FOR WOOLWORTHS

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The Great Unwaste

NEWS STORY: FIRST OF ITS KIND NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN ‘THE GREAT UNWASTE’ LAUNCHED

October 3, 2024
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Explore

Reduce Program.

Explore the ways reducing waste can help create a more efficient economy while being beneficial to the ecosystem.

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Transform Program.

Find out more about the impacts of transforming waste into valuable product, and how your business can benefit.

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Research with us.

We have a world leading Cooperative Research Centre. As global thought leaders, we are always looking for the next generation of future leaders.

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