Calculate your food waste and its environmental impact. Track money lost and emissions from wasted food.
Calculate food waste and its environmental and financial impact.
The Food Waste Calculator helps you quantify the financial and environmental impact of food wasted in your household. Food waste is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the USDA, the average American family of four wastes approximately $1,500-$2,000 worth of food annually. Nearly 40% of food in the United States goes uneaten, with households being the largest source of food waste. Understanding your waste patterns is the first step toward meaningful reduction.
Food in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas 28x more potent than CO2.
| Food Type | Avg Waste % | CO2e/lb |
|---|---|---|
| Fruits & Vegetables | 40-50% | 2.0 lbs |
| Dairy Products | 20% | 3.5 lbs |
| Meat & Seafood | 20% | 13.5 lbs |
| Grains & Bread | 25% | 1.4 lbs |
Related tools: Waste Reduction Calculator, Landfill Contribution Calculator
Americans waste 30-40% of food supply. Average family throws away $1,500 of food yearly. Food waste is 22% of municipal solid waste.
Food in landfills produces methane (25x worse than CO2). Food production wastes water, energy, and land. Global food waste = 8% of emissions.
Fruits/vegetables (39%), dairy (17%), meat (14%). Perishables spoil, produce is rejected for appearance, and portions are oversized.