In 2022, a total of approximately 25 percent of male survey respondents in the United States stated that they throw extra food into the trash at the end of a meal once or twice a week. By comparison, the total share among female respondents with the same frequency was about 29 percent.

These Flow-By-Sector (FBS) datasets capture food waste flows between waste-generating sectors and waste management pathways. The sectors are generally North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2012 codes. The first dataset, method 1 (m1), attributes food waste generation and disposition data from the USEPA Wasted Food Report to sectors. The second method, method 2 (m2), attributes wasted food data from the National Commercial Non-Hazardous Waste (CNHW) FBS dataset to sectors. These food waste datasets were generated with FLOWSA v1.3.2 (https://github.com/USEPA/flowsa/tree/v1.3.2). M1 is generated with https://github.com/USEPA/flowsa/blob/v1.3.2/flowsa/methods/flowbysectormethods/Food_Waste_national_2018_m1.yaml and m2 is generated with https://github.com/USEPA/flowsa/blob/v1.3.2/flowsa/methods/flowbysectormethods/Food_Waste_national_2018_m2.yaml. The metadata text files included as a supporting document records the FLOWSA tool version and input dataset bibliographic details. The CNHW data were generated in FLOWSA v1.3.0, with the method file https://github.com/USEPA/flowsa/blob/v1.3.0/flowsa/methods/flowbysectormethods/CNHW_national_2018.yaml.

Introduction

Food Waste Statistics: When we talk about food, most of us think about meals, nutrition, and the joy of eating. But rarely do we stop to consider how much of this food never even reaches a plate. Food waste is a problem that affects every corner of the world, from homes and restaurants to farms and supermarkets.

According to the latest food waste statistics available online, the world wastes around 1.05 billion tonnes of food every year, which is nearly one-fifth of all the food produced for human consumption.

Now, imagine the scale of this loss. Every day, 1 billion meals are thrown away, water that could have nourished crops is wasted, and greenhouse gas emissions increase because discarded food ends up rotting in landfills. This isn’t just an environmental issue anymore; it’s an economic drain, a social problem, and an ethical challenge.

Recently, reports say, countries spend billions of dollars producing food that never gets eaten, while millions of people around the world remain hungry. In this article, I’ll walk you through the latest food waste statistics, breaking down region by region, exploring which sectors contribute the most, and highlighting the economic, environmental, and social impacts.

We’ll also look at strategies that are working to reduce waste and what the future might hold if we take action. By the end of this, you’ll have a clear picture of just how serious the food waste problem is and why it matters to all of us. Let’s get into it.

A centralized repository of information built with data from more than 50 public and proprietary datasets and providing granular estimates of how much food goes uneaten in the U.S., why it’s happening, and where it goes.

These data were used to generate the results in the article “Household Food Waste Trending Upwards in the United States: Insights from a National Tracking Survey,” by Ran Li, Yiheng Shu, Kathryn E. Bender & Brian E. Roe, which has been accepted for publication in the Journal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (doi – https://doi.org/10.1002/jaa2.59). The Stata code used to generate results is available from the authors upon request. U.S. residents who participate in consumer panels managed by a commercial vendor were invited by email or text message to participate in a two-part online survey during four waves of data collection: February and March of 2021 (Feb 21 wave, 425 initiated, 361 completed), July and August of 2021 (Jul 21 wave, 606 initiated, 419 completed), December of 2021 and January of 2022 (Dec 21 wave, 760 initiated, 610 completed), and February, March and April of 2022 (Feb 22 wave, 607 initiated, 587 completed), July, August and Septemper of 2022 (Jul 22 wave, 1817 initiated, 1067 completed). We are not able to determine if any respondents participated in multiple waves, i.e., if any of the observations are repeat participants. All participants provided informed consent and received compensation. Inclusion criteria included age 18 years or older and performance of at least half of the household food preparation. No data was collected during major holidays, i.e., the weeks of the Fourth of July (Independence Day), Christmas, or New Years. Recruitment quotas were implemented to ensure sufficient representation by geographical region, race, and age group. Post-hoc sample weights were constructed to reflect population characteristics on age, income and household size. The protocol was approved by the local Internal Review Board. The approach begins with participants completing an initial survey that ends with an announcement that a follow-up survey will arrive in about one week, and that for the next 7 days, participants should pay close attention to the amounts of different foods their household throws away, feeds to animals or composts because the food is past date, spoiled or no longer wanted for other reasons. They are told to exclude items they would normally not eat, such as bones, pits, and shells. Approximately 7 days later they received the follow-up survey, which elicited the amount of waste in up to 24 categories of food and included other questions (see supplemental materials for core survey questions in Li et al. 2023). Waste amounts in each category are reported by selecting from one of several ranges of possible amounts. The gram weight for categories with volumetric ranges (e.g., listed in cups) were derived by assigning an appropriate mass to the midpoint of the selected range consistent with the food category. For the categories with highly variable weight per volume (e.g., a cup of raw asparagus weighs about 7 times more than a cup of raw chopped arugula), we use the profile of items most consumed in the United States to determine the appropriate gram weight. For display purposes, the 24 categories are consolidated into 8 more general categories. Total weekly household food waste is calculated by summing up reported gram amounts across all categories. We divide this total by the number of household members to generate the per person weekly food waste amount.

In 2019, approximately **** percent of food waste generated in retail, food services, and residential sectors was managed by landfill in the United States. This was the largest share among the different wasted food management solutions for waste from these sectors. Only *** percent of manufacturing and processing waste went to landfills. Overall, food waste from retail, food services, and residential sectors amounted to ** million tons, while food waste by manufacturing and processing amounted to ** million tons.

The raw data for this paper have been received by individual states in PDF or Excel files. (For each state there might be several PDF or Excel files for each year.) In the data we uploaded on GitHub, we transferred these raw data (the various pdfs and excels) into a single CSV file and have created a standardized waste outcome---specifically, state-generated, municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal. In the README file, we include more details regarding all the other supporting data and code we have used.

The U.S. wastes 31 to 40% of its post-harvest food supply, with a substantial portion of this waste occurring at the consumer level. Globally, interventions to address wasted food have proliferated, but efforts are in their infancy in the U.S. To inform these efforts and provide baseline data to track change, we performed a survey of U.S. consumer awareness, attitudes and behaviors related to wasted food. The survey was administered online to members of a nationally representative panel (N=1010), and post-survey weights were applied. The survey found widespread (self-reported) awareness of wasted food as an issue, efforts to reduce it, and knowledge about how to do so, plus moderately frequent performance of waste-reducing behaviors. Three-quarters of respondents said they discard less food than the average American. The leading motivations for waste reduction were saving money and setting an example for children, with environmental concerns ranked last. The most common reasons given for discarding food were concern about foodborne illness and a desire to eat only the freshest food. In some cases there were modest differences based on age, parental status, and income, but no differences were found by race, education, rural/urban residence or other demographic factors. Respondents recommended ways retailers and restaurants could help reduce waste. This is the first nationally representative consumer survey focused on wasted food in the U.S. It provides insight into U.S. consumers’ perceptions related to wasted food, and comparisons to existing literature. The findings suggest approaches including recognizing that many consumers perceive themselves as being already-knowledgeable and engaged, framing messages to focus on budgets, and modifying existing messages about food freshness and aesthetics. This research also suggests opportunities to shift retail and restaurant practice, and identifies critical research gaps.

Summary statistics of food waste tendency (score of 0 to 100).

This dataset provides estimated tons generated and recycled by U.S. zip code and material. It relies on materials management reports and surveys from various states and regions, State Measurement Program (SMP) data, Ball Corporation’s Fifty States of Recycling report, EPA’s Excess Food Opportunities Map, and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American County Survey dataset. Quantities generated and recycled by zip code were estimated by dividing state reported generation and recycled quantities by the population for each state and for each material to arrive at state-specific per capita rates and then those per capita rates were applied to the population of each zip code in each corresponding state. Estimated recycling potential for each material is the difference between estimated tons generated and estimated tons recycled. Those zip codes with the greatest difference in generated and recycled tons have higher estimated recycling potential. The data was then integrated with a U.S. Census Bureau Tiger Database zip code shapefile to create the resulting data layer. The zip code shapefile was simplified to remove vertices. This dataset includes 16 recyclable material types: aluminum, cardboard, electronics, food waste, glass, HDPE bottles #2, PET bottles #1, PET other #1, PP (polypropylene) containers #5, rigid plastics #3 to #7, steel cans, tires, paper, textiles, yard trimmings, and wood. Note that there are certain materials for which data are not available for every state. In these cases, the layer will only display zip codes where data is available. This dataset is a snapshot of U.S. recycling quantities, infrastructure, and materials markets as of 2019-2021. The map was created by Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), a consultancy supporting EPA to develop the Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map. The map is managed by EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA.

Scaled WARM is a direct impacts model of GHG emissions, Employment, Wages, and Taxes attributed to material-specific waste management pathways. The waste management pathways are based on North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2012 codes. This dataset is generated by fusing material-specific factors from the USEPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM) with waste generation data from USEPA Facts and Figures, Wasted Food Report, and CDDPath. Scaled WARM is generated with FLOWSA v1.3.2 (https://github.com/USEPA/flowsa/tree/v1.3.2) and the method file https://github.com/USEPA/HIO/blob/v0.1.0/flowsa/flowbysectormethods/Mixed_WARM_national_2018.yaml.

This statistic represents the volume of wasted food in the United States in 2015, broken down by facility. In that year, American households generated approximately ** million metric tons of food waste. Food waste in the United States – additional information Farms, grocery stores, and restaurants are often blamed for creating vast amounts of food waste, where in reality, families and households generate the largest volume of wasted food, totaling some ** million metric tons in the United States in 2015, which equaled about *** billion U.S. dollars. A large proportion of food that goes to waste is from perishable items such as fruits and vegetables, which accounted for about ** percent of waste in 2015. Fruit and vegetables are some of the least expensive, yet, fastest to spoil and thus, often get discarded. On the other hand, seafood and meats are among the most expensive items and are two of the least discarded products. In one survey, almost half of the American respondents believed that grocery stores could help consumers reduce waste by offering certain food items in smaller quantities. Others believed that offering bulk food bins and incentives to encourage buying things when they are needed could also reduce the production of food waste. Annually, the U.S. sends about **** million tons of food to the landfill and another **** million tons remain unharvested from farms. A significant portion of the unharvested food is due to cosmetic imperfections, but is mostly left on site to be composted. Waste from farms is usually only sent to landfills due to surplus and rejected products from packinghouses. However, only about 10 percent of food waste from consumer-facing businesses and homes are recycled and recovered. Transportation costs for food scraps tend to be disproportionately high and market values for energy and compost end products from scraps are worth less than those garnered from plastics and metals.

Click here to download these data in a file geodatabase. Log into ArcGIS Online to download data directly from this feature service. Create an ArcGIS Online account.On America Recycles Day, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a National Recycling Goal to increase the U.S. recycling rate of materials generated in municipal solid waste (MSW) to 50 percent by 2030. To further this goal and support the building of new recycling infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), EPA developed a map displaying estimated generation of recyclable materials, estimated recycled quantities, existing recycling infrastructure, potential recycling end markets, and other MSW infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations. The map can be used to identify infrastructure gaps, facilitate a needs analysis, and better understand where funding could be allocated to enhance markets.

This dataset provides estimated tons generated and recycled by U.S. ZIP code and material. It relies on materials management reports and surveys from various states and regions, State Measurement Program (SMP) data, the Ball Corporation's Fifty States of Recycling, EPA's EPA’s Excess Food Opportunities Map, and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey dataset. EPA estimated the quantities generated and recycled by ZIP code by dividing state reported generation and recycled quantities by the population for each state and for each material to arrive at state-specific per capita rates. Those per capita rates were then applied to the population of each ZIP code in each corresponding state. By clicking on the map, the user can see the estimated tons generated per capita and recycled per capita. Estimated recycling potential for each material is the difference between estimated tons generated and estimated tons recycled. The ZIP codes with the greatest difference in generated and recycled tons have higher estimated recycling potential.

The data were then integrated with a U.S. Census Bureau Tiger Database ZIP code shapefile to create the resulting data layer. The ZIP code shapefile was simplified to remove vertices. This dataset includes 16 recyclable material types: aluminum, cardboard, electronics, food waste, glass, HDPE bottles #2, PET bottles #1, PET other #1, PP (polypropylene) containers #5, rigid plastics #3 to #7, steel cans, tires, paper, textiles, yard trimmings, and wood. Note that there are certain materials for which data are not available for every state. In these cases, the layer will only display ZIP codes where data are available.

The map provides estimated U.S. recycling quantities, infrastructure, materials markets, and supporting market factors using the best available data at the time the map was developed (2021-2022). While data sources range from 2011 to 2021, most data are from 2018-2021. The map was created and by Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), a consultancy supporting EPA to develop the Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map. The map is managed by EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA.

This data set is the result of a systematic review of studies on food waste disposed in the United States, an issue which major consequences for social, nutritional, economic, and environmental issues. It was created to determine how much food is discarded in the U.S., and to determine if specific factors drive increased disposal. By applying meta-analytic tools on it this dataset, it was found that the aggregate proportion of food waste in U.S. municipal solid waste from 1995 to 2013 was 0.147 (95% CI 0.137–0.157) of total disposed waste, which is lower than that estimated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the same period (0.176). Further, that the proportion of food waste increased significantly with time, and there were no significant differences in food waste between rural and urban samples, or between commercial/institutional and residential samples. These results are published in the study titled Quantification of Food Waste Disposal in the United States: A Meta-Analysis (Thyberg et al., 2015).

Food Waste Tracking Software Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global food waste tracking software market size reached USD 2.1 billion in 2024, reflecting robust adoption across the food industry. The sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% during the forecast period, with the market expected to reach USD 6.2 billion by 2033. This rapid expansion is fueled by rising regulatory pressure, increasing consumer awareness regarding sustainability, and the food industry’s growing commitment to waste reduction and cost optimization.

A primary growth factor for the food waste tracking software market is the increasing stringency of government regulations and environmental policies globally. Governments and international organizations are imposing stricter mandates on food waste management, pushing businesses to adopt advanced technology solutions for compliance and reporting. This regulatory landscape is compelling food manufacturers, retailers, and hospitality providers to invest in sophisticated tracking systems that can monitor, analyze, and reduce food waste at every stage of the supply chain. As a result, demand for food waste tracking software is surging, especially among enterprises seeking to meet sustainability targets and avoid regulatory penalties.

Another significant driver is the economic imperative to reduce operational costs in the food industry. Food waste not only represents lost revenue but also leads to increased disposal costs and inefficiencies in supply chain management. By leveraging food waste tracking software, organizations can gain actionable insights into waste patterns, identify root causes, and implement targeted interventions to optimize inventory, production, and purchasing decisions. This data-driven approach is particularly attractive to restaurants, supermarkets, and food manufacturers aiming to enhance profitability while minimizing their environmental footprint. The software’s ability to deliver real-time analytics and facilitate continuous improvement is a key factor propelling its adoption.

Moreover, the growing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical business practices is amplifying the need for transparent food waste management solutions. Brands are increasingly using food waste tracking software to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, both to consumers and investors. This trend is especially pronounced in developed regions, where consumers are more likely to support businesses that actively reduce food waste. As sustainability becomes a core differentiator in the foodservice and retail sectors, companies are integrating tracking solutions into their broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, further accelerating market growth.

Regionally, North America leads the global food waste tracking software market, driven by early technology adoption, stringent food safety regulations, and a strong focus on sustainability. Europe follows closely, supported by the European Union’s ambitious food waste reduction targets and widespread public awareness. The Asia Pacific region is emerging as a high-growth market, fueled by rapid urbanization, expanding foodservice sectors, and increasing investments in digital transformation. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also showing steady progress, albeit from a smaller base, as local governments and businesses recognize the economic and environmental benefits of waste reduction technologies.

Component Analysis

The food waste tracking software market by component is broadly segmented into Software and Services, each playing a distinct role in driving value for end-users. The software segment encompasses the core platforms and applications designed to capture, analyze, and report on food waste data across various operational environments. These solutions are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT integration to deliver advanced analytics, predictive insights, and automation capabilities. As organizations seek to digitalize their waste management processes, the demand for robust, scalable, and user-friendly software platforms continues to rise, particularly among large enterprises with complex operations and compliance requirements.

On the services front, the market includes consulting, implementation, training, and support offerings that help organizations maximize the value of their software investments

United States Exports of residues, wastes of food industry, animal fodder was US$14.43 Billion during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Exports of residues, wastes of food industry, animal fodder - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on October of 2025.

Food Waste Analytics for Concessions Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global Food Waste Analytics for Concessions market size reached USD 1.27 billion in 2024, driven by the increasing adoption of digital solutions to minimize operational inefficiencies and reduce food waste in high-volume concession environments. The market is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of 13.8% from 2025 to 2033, reaching a projected value of USD 3.58 billion by 2033. This remarkable growth is primarily attributed to the mounting pressure on concession operators to optimize food inventory, comply with sustainability mandates, and enhance profitability through advanced analytics and real-time monitoring.

The primary growth factor for the Food Waste Analytics for Concessions market is the rapid digital transformation sweeping through the food service industry, particularly within large-scale venues such as stadiums, airports, and amusement parks. Concession operators are increasingly leveraging data-driven platforms to track food consumption patterns, predict demand, and identify waste hotspots. This shift is not only a response to rising food costs and shrinking profit margins but also a proactive measure to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets. The ability to harness actionable insights from analytics platforms is empowering concessionaires to implement targeted interventions, refine menu planning, and improve supply chain coordination, thereby substantially reducing food waste and associated costs.

Another significant driver is the growing regulatory emphasis on food waste reduction across key markets. Governments and industry bodies in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific are introducing stringent guidelines and incentives for food waste management, compelling concession operators to adopt advanced analytics solutions. These regulatory frameworks are fostering a culture of accountability and transparency, making it imperative for concessionaires to invest in robust monitoring and reporting tools. In addition, the increasing consumer demand for sustainable practices is prompting operators to showcase their commitment to waste reduction, further boosting the adoption of food waste analytics in concession settings.

Technological advancements and the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices are also playing a crucial role in shaping the Food Waste Analytics for Concessions market. The integration of smart sensors, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based platforms is enabling real-time data capture and analysis at unparalleled scale and accuracy. This technological synergy is allowing operators to automate waste tracking, optimize inventory management, and forecast demand with greater precision. As a result, the return on investment for food waste analytics solutions is becoming increasingly compelling, driving widespread adoption across diverse concession environments.

From a regional perspective, North America currently dominates the global Food Waste Analytics for Concessions market, accounting for over 38% of the total revenue in 2024, followed closely by Europe and Asia Pacific. The advanced digital infrastructure, high concentration of large-scale venues, and progressive regulatory landscape in North America are key contributors to its market leadership. Europe is witnessing rapid growth, fueled by the European Union's ambitious food waste reduction targets and the proliferation of smart venue initiatives. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is emerging as a high-potential market, driven by urbanization, expanding middle class, and increasing investments in smart infrastructure. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also showing steady adoption, albeit at a slower pace, as awareness and investments in food waste analytics continue to rise.

Component Analysis

The Food Waste Analytics for Concessions market is segmented by component into software, hardware, and services. The software segment is the largest contributor, accounting for nearly

Summary statistics by eating occasion (meals and snacks).

Food Waste Management Service Market Outlook

The global food waste management service market size was valued at approximately $35 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around $60 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period. This significant growth is driven by increasing concerns about environmental sustainability and a rising global emphasis on waste reduction. The escalating food production and consumption, coupled with enhanced awareness of the adverse environmental impacts of food waste, are key factors propelling the market's expansion.

One of the primary growth drivers for the food waste management service market is the increasing global population. As the world population continues to rise, so does the demand for food, which subsequently results in higher volumes of food waste. Food wastage not only represents a loss of valuable resources but also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions when decomposed in landfills. Therefore, effective waste management solutions are becoming essential to mitigate these negative environmental impacts. Governments and organizations are increasingly investing in sustainable waste management practices, which is further fueling market growth.

Another critical factor contributing to the market's growth is the implementation of stringent regulations and policies aimed at reducing food waste. Many countries are enacting laws and guidelines to minimize food wastage and promote recycling and composting. For instance, the European Union has set ambitious targets to halve food waste per capita at the retail and consumer levels by 2030. Such regulatory frameworks are compelling industries and consumers alike to adopt more efficient waste management practices, thereby bolstering the market's expansion.

Technological advancements in waste management solutions are also playing a pivotal role in the market's growth. Innovations in waste collection, transportation, and recycling technologies are enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of food waste management services. The development of smart waste management systems, which use sensors and data analytics to optimize waste collection routes and schedules, is significantly improving the operational efficiency of waste management service providers. Additionally, advancements in recycling and composting technologies are enabling the conversion of food waste into valuable products such as biogas and organic fertilizers.

From a regional perspective, North America and Europe are leading the market in terms of adoption and implementation of food waste management services. However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by rapid urbanization, increasing population, and rising awareness about environmental sustainability. Government initiatives and investments in waste management infrastructure in countries like China and India are further propelling the market growth in this region.

Service Type Analysis

In the food waste management service market, the service type segment is categorized into collection, transportation, disposal, and recycling. Collection services form the backbone of the food waste management industry, as effective waste management begins with the efficient collection of waste. These services encompass various activities, including the aggregation of food waste from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. The increasing urban population and rising number of food establishments are driving the demand for robust collection services. Advanced collection methods, such as smart bins equipped with sensors to monitor fill levels, are enhancing service efficiency.

Transportation services are a critical component of the food waste management value chain. Effective transportation is essential for moving waste from collection points to treatment or disposal facilities. The importance of this service is underscored by the need for specialized vehicles that can handle different types of food waste, including perishable and non-perishable items. Innovations in transportation logistics, such as optimized routing and scheduling using data analytics, are improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these services. The growing emphasis on reducing carbon footprints is also leading to the adoption of eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Disposal services involve the safe and environmentally responsible elimination of food waste. This segment includes various methods such as landfi