Food Waste Management Market

Global Food Waste Management Market Overview

The Food Waste Management market industry is projected to grow from USD 42.75 Billion in 2024 to USD 63.45 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate or CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.06% during the projected timeframe (2024 - 2032). Worldwide Food Waste Management Market Size was estimated at USD 40.41 Billion in 2023. 

The food service sector is rapidly expanding along with an increase in food waste are the key market drivers that are contributing to market growth and development.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

In May 2024, USDA made a statement regarding enlarging its interagency cooperation aimed at the mitigation of food loss and waste across the US. It is stated that this will enable the joint efforts of different government agencies in responding to this challenge more effectively.

Food Waste Management Market Trends

The growing food service sector is driving the market growth

The rising food service sector drives market CAGR for food waste management. The rapidly increasing food service business is predicted to fuel the business. Food waste is quite typical in fast-food cafes and other hotel chains. In addition, food waste has surged in the dietary supply chain during the last decade, leading to the construction of several systems for food waste recycling that comprises both anaerobic and aerobic digestion processes. Waste from food is prevalent in developing and developing countries. To tackle this issue, authorities in various countries are establishing severe food waste reduction rules and regulations. 

Dietary waste disposal firms primarily focus on raising consumer awareness about waste from food and handling it in the Asian-Pacific region's expanding economies. The widespread use of cutting-edge technology, which is changing goods into sophisticated products, is one of the important developments in the worldwide market. Major corporations are developing innovative and inventive food waste management strategies to distinguish their goods and remain relevant.

Additionally, the offline distribution method category will be responsible for the most revenue growth due to increasing sales of Food Waste Management through offline retailers. Hotels and dining establishments need help discarding the massive volumes of food waste they produce regularly. Food Waste Administration is a particularly suitable and effective approach for commercial enterprises with substantial recurrent food waste deposits. Hotels and dining establishments pay a lot of funds to throw away food waste in regular trash cans. This is because the waste gathered must be interred for slow breakdown, which is costly depending on the amount.

The market is expected to shrink in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It caused havoc in the waste management business. While the virus spread and numerous countries implemented lockdowns, government agencies and municipality garbage collectors were forced to swiftly adapt their management procedures and structures to the changing conditions. Inadequate waste management increases the risk of disease transfer, either through direct contact with untouched or dumped rubbish or indirectly through contamination of water and crops. Although the expected danger of COVID-19 transmission is the primary cause of the decline, other critical elements like supply chain interruptions and a decline in manufacturing and commercial activities are also essential.

For instance, as per FAO, whereas over 1.4 billion tons of food are wasted worldwide yearly, the United States eliminates 40-80 bn pounds yearly. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the quantity of food discarded in the United States is comparable to 219 pounds of waste/per person, which will benefit the food waste management business. Thus, demand for Food Waste Management is anticipated to increase throughout the projected timeframe due to the rising food service sector. Thus, driving the Organics Recycling & Composting market revenue.

Food Waste Management Market Segment Insights

Food Waste Management Processes Insights

The Food Waste Management Market segmentation, based on Processes, includes Aerobic Digestion, Anaerobic Digestion, Combustion, and others. The anaerobic digestion category dominated the market, accounting for 42% of market revenue (USD 16 Billion) in 2022. Climate or price fluctuations do not affect the energy generated through anaerobic digestion. It is seen as a profitable source of power and an attractive substitute for fossil fuels.

Figure 1: Food Waste Management Market, by Type, 2024 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Food Waste Management Waste Type Insights

The Food Waste Management Market segmentation, based on Waste types, includes Food Production Waste, Food Processing Waste, Distribution and Supply Chain Waste, Retail Waste, Consumption Waste, Household, and Food Services. The household category generated the highest market revenue of about 38% (USD 14.5 billion) in 2022. Food waste caused by homes will increase due to a fast-rising population and shifting consumer behaviors such as excessive purchasing, excessive meal preparation, inadequate food management, and a lack of culinary skills.

Food Waste Management End-Use Insights

The Food Waste Management Market segmentation, based on End-Use, includes Animal Feed, Fertilizer, Renewable Energy & Biofuels, and others. The animal feed segment dominated the market, accounting for 46% of market revenue (USD 17.6 Billion) in 2022. Because food waste may be immediately utilized as feed for animals or treated using processing technology and then given to livestock without further expense, trash in animal feed is significantly greater than waste in other kinds of food waste uses.

Food Waste Management Regional Insights

By region, the research provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American Food Waste Management market will dominate during the projected timeframe, owing to expanding waste management assistance and activities, including residential properties, institutional, business premises, and manufacturing waste storage to minimize waste, boosting the market growth in the North American area.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are the US, Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: Food Waste Management Market Share by Region 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe region’s Food Waste Management market accounts for the second-highest market share due to the pace of expansion, which has strengthened due to favorable economic circumstances and improved awareness. Further, the German Food Waste Management market holds the biggest market share, and the UK Food Waste Management market is expected to grow and expand significantly in the European region during the projected timeframe.

The Asia-Pacific Food Waste Management Market is expected to grow quickly during the projected timeframe. The Asia Pacific area has the greatest growth in the management of the food waste industry due to inappropriate food management, excessive production, and food waste neglect all at once. Moreover, China’s Food Waste Management market dominates the market share, and the Indian Food Waste Management market is expected to expand and grow steadily in the Asia-Pacific region during the projected timeframe.

Food Waste Management Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players invested heavily in research and Development (R&D) to scale up their manufacturing units and develop technologically advanced solutions, which will help the Food Waste Disposal market grow worldwide. Market participants are also undertaking various organic or inorganic strategic approaches to strengthen and expand their global footprint, with significant market developments including new Processes portfolios, contractual deals, mergers and acquisitions, capital expenditure, higher investments, and strategic alliances with other organizations. 

Businesses are also coming up with marketing strategies such as digital marketing, social media influencing, and content marketing to increase their scope of profit earnings. The Food Waste Management industry must offer cost-effective and sustainable options to survive in a highly fragmented and dynamic market climate.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational expenses and offer aftermarket services to customers is one of the critical business strategies organizations use in the global Food Waste Management industry to benefit customers and capture untapped market share and revenue. The Food Waste Management industry has recently offered significant advantages to the Industrial Automation & Equipment industry. 

Moreover, more industry participants are utilizing and adopting cutting-edge technology has grown substantially. Major players in the Food Waste Management market, including Andritz Ag (Austria), Waste Management, Inc. (U.S.), Veolia Environnement S.A. (France), Republic Services, Inc. (U.S.), Stericycle, Inc. (U.S.), Covanta Holding Corporation (U.S.), and Waste Connections, Inc. (Canada) are attempting to expand market share and demand by investing in R&D operations to produce sustainable and affordable solutions.

Veolia manages the distribution and supply of water systems and services related to waste management. The firm was established on December 23, 1999, and is based in Paris, France. Veolia announced the initial recycling and trash firm to sign on as a facilitating partnership for the UK Food Trash Reduction Pathway program, which aims to assist businesses in reducing waste from food production by 50% by 2030.

3M is a technology business producing industrial, safe, and consumer goods. The firm was formed in 1902 and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Clean Harbors joined up with a prominent manufacturing business, 3M, in August 2021, for a new joint endeavor to provide best-in-class rank to the latter's activities in waste treatment and management elements.

Key Companies in the Food Waste Management market include

• Andritz Ag (Austria)
• Waste Management, Inc. (U.S.)
• Republic Services, Inc. (U.S.)
• Stericycle, Inc. (U.S.)
• Covanta Holding Corporation (U.S.)
• Veolia Environnement S.A. (France)
• Waste Connections, Inc. (Canada)

Food Waste Management Industry Developments

January 2024

The new Clarity Food solution from SML, an industry leader in RFID technology, will assist grocery stores and fast-food chains in reducing food waste.

More than 7,500 retailers use SML's technology to manage inventory and operations; monthly, 500 million products are controlled. SML delivers unique RFID solutions for retail stores and supply chains.

Among Clarity Food's standout qualities are:

Food Traceability with RFID Technology: By using cutting-edge RFID technology, Clarity ushers in a new age of transparency across the food supply chain. The ability to track products from farm to fork is a game-changer for grocery stores.

Waste Management: Clarity Food makes it easy for supply chain operators to control and optimize waste. Their operation becomes more sustainable and cost-effective as a result of the solution's ability to detect inefficiencies, simplify procedures, and lessen environmental impact.

March 2023

The Waste Lab, a Dubai-based start-up, and Kia Corporation are collaborating to introduce a three-stage GCC process that turns food waste into nutritious compost. The collaboration aims to reduce food waste throughout the holy month and increase understanding of the significance of implementing sustainable practices right now.

February 2023

More than $9.4 million is being invested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 45 cooperation agreements to promote creative, scalable waste management solutions that would lessen and divert food waste from landfills. The USDA, under the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP), provides extensive support for urban agriculture. The Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperation agreements are financed by the American Rescue Plan Act. Between 2023 and 2025, the projects will be put into action.

In 2023: Hilton, a multinational hospitality company has also been making the efforts to bring “Green Breakfast” program from its German franchisee which is intended to reduce food losses in all of its properties around the world.

In March 2022: a Veolia Group subsidiary Veolia North America purchased Suez Group in its entirety. It enables the company to incorporate new innovations and broaden its scope in order to help ecologize and carbonize the water sector in the US.

August 2021: Clean Harbours joined up with a prominent manufacturing business, 3M, in August 2021, for a new joint endeavor to provide best-in-class rank to the latter's activities in waste treatment and management elements.

January 2020: Veolia announced the initial recycling and trash firm to sign on as a facilitating partnership for the UK Food Trash Reduction Pathway program, which aims to assist businesses in reducing waste from food production by 50% by 2030.

According to the EPA, 63 million tons of food scraps were generated in the organizational, business premises, and housing sectors, with approximately 32% managed through biochemical processes. The procedures include processing, animal feed, land usage, composting, and wastewater.

Food Waste Management Market Segmentation

Food Waste Management Type Outlook

• Aerobic digestion
• Anaerobic digestion
• Combustion
• Others

Food Waste Management Waste type Outlook

• Food production waste
• Food processing waste
• Distribution & supply chain waste
• Retail waste
• Consumption waste
• Household
• Food services

Food Waste Management End-Use Outlook

• Animal feed
• Fertilizer
• Renewable energy
• Biofuels
• Others

Food Waste Management Regional Outlook

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World
  • Middle East
  • Africa
  • Latin America

Food Waste Management Market Segmentation

 Food Waste Management Process Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

• Aerobic digestion

• Anaerobic digestion

• Combustion

• Others

Food Waste Management Waste type Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

•  Food production waste

• Food processing waste

• Distribution & supply chain waste

• Retail waste

• Consumption waste

• Household

• Food services

Food Waste Management End-Use Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

• Animal feed

• Fertilizer

• Renewable energy

• Biofuels

• Others

Food Waste Management Regional Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

• North America Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • North America Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • North America Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • North America Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • US Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • US Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • US Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • US Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Canada Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Canada Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Canada Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Canada Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

• Europe Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Europe Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Europe Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Europe Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Germany Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Germany Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Germany Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Germany Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • France Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • France Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • France Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • France Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • UK Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • UK Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • UK Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • UK Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Italy Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Italy Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Italy Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Italy Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Spain Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Spain Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Spain Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Spain Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Rest Of Europe Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Rest Of Europe Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Rest Of Europe Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Rest Of Europe Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

• Asia-Pacific Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Asia-Pacific Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Asia-Pacific Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Asia-Pacific Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • China Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • China Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • China Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • China Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Japan Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Japan Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Japan Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Japan Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • India Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • India Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • India Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • India Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Australia Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Australia Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Australia Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Australia Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Rest of Asia-Pacific Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Rest of Asia-Pacific Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Rest of Asia-Pacific Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Rest of Asia-Pacific Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

• Rest of the World Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Rest of the World Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Rest of the World Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Rest of the World Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Middle East Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Middle East Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Middle East Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Middle East Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Africa Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Africa Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Africa Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Africa Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others

  • Latin America Outlook (USD Billion, 2024-2032)

  • Latin America Food Waste Management by Process

    • Aerobic digestion

    • Anaerobic digestion

    • Combustion

    • Others

  • Latin America Food Waste Management by Waste type

    • Food production waste

    • Food processing waste

    • Distribution & supply chain waste

    • Retail waste

    • Consumption waste

    • Household

    • Food services

  • Latin America Food Waste Management by End-Use

    • Animal feed

    • Fertilizer

    • Renewable energy

    • Biofuels

    • Others