Sustainability Calculator

Food Waste Reduction Calculator

Find out how much your food waste is costing you, both financially and environmentally, and discover simple strategies to reduce it.

Save Money
Reduce Emissions
Conserve Water

Calculate Your Impact

Food Waste Impact
Environmental and financial impact of your food waste
86 kg

Estimated annual food waste

Monthly Financial Waste:$240
Annual Financial Waste:$2880
CO₂ Emissions:214 kg CO₂
Water Footprint:128 m³ water
Reduction Goal:50%
Potential Annual Savings:$1440
CO₂ Reduction:107 kg CO₂
Water Saved:64 m³ water
Recommended Actions
Personalized steps to reduce your food waste

Create a Weekly Meal Plan

High Impact

Plan your meals for the week before shopping to buy only what you need.

Designate a 'Leftovers Night'

Medium Impact

Set aside one night a week to use up leftovers before they spoil.

Learn Proper Food Storage

High Impact

Store fruits, vegetables, and other perishables properly to extend their life.

Use a 'First In, First Out' System

Medium Impact

Place newer items at the back of the fridge/pantry and older items at the front.

Understand Food Date Labels

Medium Impact

'Best by' and 'use by' dates are about quality, not safety. Many foods are still good after these dates.

Implementation Difficulty

EasyChallenging

Based on your current habits, reducing your food waste by 50% will be moderately challenging.

3 people
$800

This includes groceries, takeout, and restaurant meals.

30%

Food Waste Facts

  • The average American family of four throws away approximately $1,600 worth of food each year.
  • Food waste is responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Producing food that goes uneaten uses 25% of all freshwater consumed in the U.S.

Did You Know?

Globally, about 1/3 of all food produced is wasted.

Food waste accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The average American family throws away $1,600 worth of food annually.

Reduction Goals

Setting achievable goals is key to tracking progress:

  • Start with a 20% reduction target
  • Track your waste for two weeks
  • Implement one new strategy each week

Key Impact Areas of Food Waste

Financial Impact

Wasting food means wasting money. Start cutting down on food waste and save hundreds, if not thousands, each year.

Environmental Impact

Every piece of food that ends up in landfills releases harmful methane into the atmosphere. Reducing waste helps fight climate change.

Water Conservation

Food production uses a lot of water. By cutting down on food waste, you help save this precious resource for future generations.

Global Food Security

Reducing food waste means more food available for those in need, contributing to a more fair and just global food system.

How You Can Use This Calculator

Household Budget Optimization

Learn how much money your family could save by cutting down on food waste, with simple strategies to reduce waste and boost your savings.

Environmental Impact Reduction

Track the CO2, water, and land use impact of your food waste, and find out how making small changes can help protect the environment.

Restaurant or Cafeteria Management

Food service managers can pinpoint where waste is happening and create targeted solutions to improve sustainability and increase profits.

Educational Programs

Schools and community programs can use this calculator to help educate others on the importance of reducing food waste and how to make a real difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the environmental impact of food waste calculated?

The calculator estimates CO2 emissions, water usage, and land use based on your household's food waste. These figures come from research on food production and how food breaks down in landfills.

What are the most effective ways to reduce food waste?

Simple strategies like planning meals ahead, storing food properly, understanding labels, and using leftovers are great places to start. Plus, composting inedible food scraps can have a big impact.

Understanding Food Waste

Food waste is a global problem with significant environmental, economic, and social implications. When food is wasted, all the resources that went into producing it—water, land, energy, labor, and capital—are also wasted.

In the United States alone, up to 40% of food goes uneaten. This waste occurs throughout the supply chain, from farms to processing facilities, retailers, foodservice establishments, and households. However, households are responsible for the largest portion of all food waste.

Beyond the environmental impact, food waste has serious social implications. While millions of pounds of food are thrown away, one in nine people globally still suffers from hunger. Reducing food waste is therefore not just an environmental issue but also a matter of social justice.

By using this calculator, you can take the first step toward reducing your food waste footprint. Understanding the impact of your waste is the beginning of making positive changes that benefit both your wallet and the planet.

Global Food Waste Statistics

Food wasted globally each year1.3 billion tons
Value of food wasted annually$1 trillion
Water wasted in food production45 trillion gallons
Land used to grow wasted food1.4 billion hectares

Ready to Reduce Your Food Waste?

Use our calculator to understand your current impact, then implement our recommended strategies to save money and help the environment.

Get Started Now