Amidst the global challenge of food waste, scholars are increasingly focusing on how young generations—particularly those transitioning from academic studies into professional careers—perceive its multifaceted dimensions. However, many existing studies lack sufficiently large, cross-national samples to ensure robust representativeness and meaningful application. This study tests how young professionalś pro-environmental behaviors is related to the negative attitude towards food waste (NAFW) by addressing the moderating role of food-waste awareness. Analysis of primary data from 634 young professionals across Asia, Europe, and North America underscores the cross-national variability in individual responses to the food waste challenge, emphasizing the pivotal role of awareness in shaping attitudes. Furthermore, this study highlights the limited role of educational background on NAFW among young professionals in foodservice-related fields. Together, these findings offer new perspectives on food-waste research and point to promising avenues for future inquiry.
