Presentation Script 

 a) Problem – How I Identified and Analysed It

Good morning everyone,

The focus of my project is household food waste in Australia, which links directly to Sustainable Development Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.

I identified this issue through both research and personal experience, noticing how often food is wasted at home despite being edible. Through further investigation, I found that Australia wastes approximately 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, with a large portion occurring at the household level.

To analyse the problem, I used a design thinking approach, beginning with empathy and research. I explored not just what is being wasted, but why it is happening. I found that the issue is not a lack of resources, but rather everyday behaviours, such as overbuying, poor meal planning, and forgetting food in the fridge.

b) Evidence – Describe Your Evidence

To support my understanding, I collected both secondary and primary data.

Secondary data included government and research reports, which highlighted the environmental, economic, and social impacts of food waste, including methane emissions and financial loss for households.

For primary data, I conducted a survey with 10 local families. The results showed that:

  • Most households often waste food
  • The most commonly wasted items are cooked leftovers, bakery items, and fruits
  • The main reasons include cooking too much food and forgetting food in the fridge

Importantly, the data also showed that most families are willing to change, but need practical tools to support them.

 c) Solutions – Alternatives Considered and Rejected

During the ideation stage, I explored a wide range of possible solutions.

Some of the ideas included:

  • Smart fridges and tracking technology
  • Mobile apps for food monitoring
  • Government regulations and penalties
  • Community composting systems

While these ideas were innovative, many were rejected because they were:

  • Expensive or difficult to implement
  • Too complex for everyday families
  • Dependent on external systems rather than individual behaviour

Research shows that food waste is largely driven by daily habits, so I decided to focus on a solution that is simple, accessible, and behaviour-focused.

d) Final Outcome – Where to From Here? + PMI

The final solution is the Family Food Waste Toolkit, which includes:

  • A meal planner
  • A food storage guide
  • Leftover recipe ideas

 Positive

  • Easy to use for all families
  • Low cost and practical
  • Directly targets the main causes of food waste
  • Encourages long-term behaviour change

 Negative

  • Requires consistency and motivation from users
  • May not suit all lifestyles
  • Limited impact without wider awareness

 Improvements

  • Develop a digital app version
  • Add reminders and notifications
  • Expand through schools and community programs

Moving forward, the solution could be scaled through education programs, online platforms, and partnerships with councils or schools.

e) What Would Success Look Like?

Success would mean that households:

  • Become more aware of their food waste habits
  • Plan meals more effectively
  • Reduce the amount of food thrown away

On a larger scale, success would contribute to:

  • Reduced landfill waste
  • Lower greenhouse gas emissions
  • Improved sustainability practices in everyday life

 f) Success Indicators

Success can be measured through:

  • A reduction in household food waste levels
  • Increased use of meal planners and storage strategies
  • Survey feedback showing behaviour change
  • Increased participation in composting or food sharing
  • Positive engagement with the toolkit or resources

Closing Statement 

In conclusion, this project demonstrates that solving food waste does not always require complex solutions. Sometimes, small, practical changes in everyday behaviour can create meaningful and lasting impact.

Thank you.