Ideation

The ideation stage of the project, focusing on reducing household food waste within a specific local context of 10 families. At the centre of the visual is the key idea—reducing household food waste in my community—which highlights that the solutions are based on real data collected from these households rather than general assumptions. Surrounding this central idea are different categories of solutions developed during brainstorming, including technology-based tools such as fridge reminder apps, behaviour change strategies like awareness campaigns and cooking practices, and community-based approaches such as sharing surplus food. The visual also emphasises practical design solutions, particularly the Family Food Waste Toolkit, which includes a meal planner, storage guide, and leftover recipe ideas tailored to the needs of the participating families. Survey results are integrated into the image to show common waste patterns, such as cooked leftovers being the most wasted food, reinforcing that the solutions are data-driven. Overall, the image demonstrates a shift from broad, generalised ideas to localised, realistic, and user-focused solutions, ensuring that the strategies are relevant, achievable, and meaningful for the households involved.

                                    Key insights from the research

 Many households contribute to food waste by cooking too much food, forgetting items in the fridge, and discarding cooked leftovers. The findings also show that meal planning is not consistently practised, and most families do not compost their food waste. Despite these challenges, there is a strong willingness among households to change their behaviour when provided with practical tools and support, highlighting an important opportunity for intervention (DCCEEW, 2023, p. 6; FIAL, 2021, p. 10).

                                     Ideation Categories and Solutions

1. Behaviour Change Solutions

  • Educational campaigns to raise awareness about food waste
  • School-based programs to teach children sustainable habits
  • Social media campaigns promoting:
    • “Use food first”
    • “Waste less, save more”
  • Reward systems for reducing food waste (e.g., apps or community programs)
  • Encouraging families to:
    • Check fridge before shopping
    • Plan meals in advance
    • Use leftovers creatively

Behaviour change is critical, as food waste is largely influenced by daily habits (WRAP, 2020, p. 15).

2. Technology Solutions

  • Smart fridge reminders to track expiry dates
  • Mobile apps for:
    • Meal planning
    • Food tracking
    • Leftover recipes
  • QR codes on food storage guides linking to recipes
  • Digital dashboards to track household food waste
  • Notification systems to remind users of food nearing expiry.

Technology can support behaviour change by increasing awareness and improving decision-making (ReFED, 2022, p. 8).

3. Design & Practical Solutions

  • Family Food Waste Toolkit:
    • Meal planner templates
    • Storage guides
    • Leftover recipe cards
  • Portion control strategies to reduce overcooking
  • Improved food storage practices
  • Clear visual guides for fridge organisation
  • Compost bins for households

Practical tools are effective in reducing waste by supporting daily decision-making (CSIRO, 2020, p. 18).

4. Community-Based Solutions

  • Community food sharing programs
  • Community fridges for surplus food
  • Local workshops on cooking and food storage
  • School and community partnerships
  • Food donation initiatives

Community engagement strengthens collective responsibility and reduces food waste at a broader level (Australian Government, 2022).

5. Policy and Awareness Solutions

  • Clearer food labelling systems
  • Government awareness campaigns
  • Incentives for reducing food waste
  • Support for composting programs
  • Local council waste reduction initiatives

Policy and education play a key role in supporting long-term sustainable practices (FIAL, 2021, p. 12).

                                    Selected Solution for This Issue

After evaluating a range of possible ideas, the most effective and realistic solution identified for this project is the Family Food Waste Toolkit. This toolkit includes a meal planner, a food storage guide, and leftover recipe ideas, all designed to support families in managing food more efficiently at home. It was selected because it is simple and easy for all families to use, directly addresses the key causes of food waste such as overcooking and poor planning, and is low cost and highly practical to implement. Most importantly, it encourages long-term behaviour change by helping households develop more sustainable habits in their everyday routines.