Food waste is an arguably increasing problem in society, with consumers being responsible for as much as half of all combined food waste. The problem needs to be tackled from all angles, but there is no all encompassing solution for all situations. One context consumers find themselves in is the kitchen at their place of work, where the shared nature of the refrigerator creates situations and problems not found in the home environment. It is for these shared kitchens that this study is focused on providing a physical solution based on The Behavioural Change Wheel (BCW), book providing methods and tools for designing with the goal of behavioural change. The intention of this study was to develop, test and later evaluate a prototype on its behavioural change capacity and potential, using the tools presented in the BCW. The developed prototype took form as an RFID activated labelling system, providing users with the current date and their name on a label to be adhered on the articles they place in the shared refrigerator. After the testing period, an online questionnaire was sent out and was answered by fourteen out of seventeen participants. The two week testing period and subsequent questionnaire provided no conclusive answers regarding detected behavioural change capacity, but the potential is considered high based on participants qualitative comments and attitudes, and their quantitative usage. No measurements of change in food waste is conducted, but the target behavioural changes would provide a positive development resulting in less food waste in the workplace kitchen, if not only a more orderly refrigerator. / Matavfall är ett påtagligt ökande problem i samhället, där konsumenter ansvarar för så mycket som hälften av allt kombinerat matavfall. Problemet bör hanteras från alla möjliga håll, men det finns ingen allmän lösning för alla situationer. Ett sammanhang som konsumenterna befinner sig i är köket på deras arbetsplats, där kylskåpets gemensamma natur skapar situationer och problem som inte återfinns i hemmiljön. Det är för dessa delade kök som denna studie riktar sig på att tillhandahålla en fysisk lösning baserad på The Behavioural Change Wheel (BCW). Den innehåller metoder och verktyg för att designa med beteendeförändring som mål. Syftet med denna studie var att utveckla, testa och senare utvärdera en prototyp angående dess beteendeförändringsförmåga och potential, med hjälp av de verktyg som presenteras i BCW. Den färdigställda prototypen tog form som ett RFID-aktiverat etikettsystem, som gav användarna det aktuella datumet och deras namn på en etikett som ska sättas på artiklarna som de placerar i det delade kylskåpet. Efter testperioden skickades ett frågeformulär ut och fjorton av sjutton deltagare svarade. En testperiod på två veckor och efterföljande frågeformulär gav inga avgörande svar angående påvisad beteendeförändringsförmåga, men potentialen anses vara hög baserad på deltagarnas kvalitativa kommentarer och attityder, och deras kvantitativa användning. Inga mätningar kring mängd matavfall utfördes, men målbeteendeförändringarna skulle ge en positiv utveckling som resulterar i mindre matavfall i arbetsplatsens kök, om inte bara ett mer ordnat kylskåp. / Smart storage solutions in the fridge of the future to reduce food waste

The increase in global population and high urbanisation rates characterised by high resource consumption and waste generation levels has led to challenges in waste management around the world. Waste management remains one of the most critical challenges faced by local governments in developing countries. Informal business enterprises have come under the spotlight for their high waste production and poor waste management practices. Many arguments have been put forward as to the real environmental impacts caused by informal business enterprises due to their waste practices. This research aimed at assessing the waste management practices in the informal business sector in Olievenhoutbosch Township, Pretoria. Data collection was carried out between March 2016 and September 2016. The research utilised both qualitative and quantitative methods. The methodology employed techniques that included structured questionnaires, structured interviews and field observations. Semi- structured face to face interviews were carried out with key informants. These interviews provided information on the frequency of waste collection, available waste management awareness and challenges faced in delivering the service. The research also involved 230 field observations to study the pattern and frequency of waste collection and waste behaviours by informal business enterprises. Questionnaires were administered to 120 informal business enterprises with a response rate of 84.17%. Data from questionnaires and field observations indicated that waste generated by informal business enterprises (plastic bags, card board, packaging plastics, glass bottles and plastic bottles) was mainly recyclable waste. The most preferred disposal methods were use of refuse plastic bags (31%), open space dumping (20%) and burning (30%). Analysis of the results showed that there was lack of information on waste management and that also influenced waste behaviours. Preferences for waste disposal methods were influenced by many factors including lack of information, shortage of waste disposal facilities and waste collection frequency by the local town council. The research found that waste collection in various sections of the township was done once per week which has led to increased indiscriminate waste dumping and burning of waste. It was recommended that waste management information be provided to informal business enterprises especially on waste separation and recycling. The municipality should increase frequency of waste collection or provide central point waste facilities to business operators. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)