Food Waste Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost and environmental impact of food wasted in your household per year.
Inputs
US average is ~30% by weight
Annual waste cost
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Monthly waste cost
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Per person
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CO₂ footprint
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Wasted meals
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About Food Waste Cost Calculator
How much do households waste?
USDA estimates ~30% of US food supply is wasted. Per-household: $1,500-$2,400/year. Globally, 1/3 of food produced is never eaten — about 1.3 billion tons annually.
How to cut waste
Plan meals before shopping, use a "use first" shelf, freeze leftovers, learn the difference between "best by" (quality) and "use by" (safety) dates, cook smaller portions.
Environmental impact
Food waste creates ~8% of global greenhouse gas emissions — if it were a country, it would rank 3rd after the US and China. Landfilled food produces methane, a potent GHG.