Market Overview

With the world population continuously increasing, the issue of food wastage has become a pressing concern on a global scale. The escalating amount of food waste poses significant threats to society, including health hazards, environmental pollution, and a shortage of landfills. As a result, there is a growing demand for effective and sustainable solutions to manage the mounting food waste.

According to the latest edition of the Global Food Waste Management Market Report, the global food waste management market is projected to increase by USD 12.8 billion, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% from 2023 to 2028. Several factors are driving the growth of the market.

The increasing amount of food waste generated globally is a key driver. As food production and consumption continue to rise, so does the volume of food waste. This has created a need for efficient and innovative solutions to handle and reduce food waste.

There is a growing awareness about the environmental impacts of food waste. People are becoming more conscious of the resources and energy that go into food production, and the detrimental effects of wasting food on the environment. This awareness has led to a shift in consumer behavior and a demand for sustainable practices throughout the food supply chain.

Government initiatives to reduce food waste are also contributing to the growth of the market. Many governments around the world have recognized the importance of addressing food waste and have implemented policies and regulations to encourage waste reduction and proper management. These initiatives create a favorable environment for the adoption of food waste management solutions.

Technological advancements in food waste management solutions are another factor driving market growth. Innovations in composting, incineration, and anaerobic digestion technologies have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of food waste management processes. These advancements offer more sustainable and resource-efficient ways to handle and repurpose food waste.

Research Coverage

The global food waste management market has been categorized by the type of food waste into cereals, coffee grounds and tea, dairy and dairy products, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, and oilseeds and pulses. Among these categories, fruits and vegetables dominate the majority share of food wastage in most regions worldwide. The wastage of fruits and vegetables mainly occurs before they reach consumers in developed countries due to reasons such as not meeting quality standards and overproduction. Despite being perfectly consumable, a significant portion of fruits and vegetables are discarded for not being aesthetically appealing even before they reach supermarket shelves. In Europe, more than 50 million tons of fruits and vegetables are wasted annually due to their wrong shape and size, and around 30% of total farm production is lost due to aesthetic reasons.

Based on sources of food waste, the global food waste management market is categorized into food distributors and suppliers, food manufacturers, food service providers, municipalities and households, and primary food producers. The municipalities and households segment is expected to account for the majority share of the global market for food waste management. This is primarily because of the lack of awareness among the consumers regarding the expiry date of food products, improper storage of food items and preparation of excess food, among other factors.

The global food waste management market has been divided into five method segments, which include disposal, optimization, prevention, recovery, and recycling. The recycling segment, which involves converting food waste into useful products such as compost, animal feed, and biofuels, is currently the largest segment in the global food waste management market. This segment is expected to maintain its leading position in the market throughout the forecast period. The recycling methods for food waste include various processes such as anaerobic digestion and composting. During anaerobic digestion (AD), food waste is broken down through a series of biological reactions, resulting in the production of biogas. Biogas, which contains a significant amount of methane, can be used to generate energy. The remaining organic material, which contains a high concentration of nutrients, can be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner. The composting process helps to recover nutrients that would otherwise be wasted. Typically, the organic matter remaining from AD is first composted with garden waste and then applied to land.

By end user, the global food waste management market has been segmented into animal feed, biofuels, fertilizers, and power generation. Utilizing food waste as a source of animal feed is a solution that can address multiple issues such as food security, resource conservation, pollution, and climate change. With advancements in technology, there are numerous food waste management solutions available that can help convert food waste into nutritious, safe, and value-added feed products. The animal feed segment held the largest share in the global food waste management market and is expected to remain the largest end user throughout the forecast period.

The North American region has emerged as a leader in the global food waste management market, driven by the increasing awareness among consumers and businesses about the environmental and economic impact of food waste. According to studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), North America produces approximately 168 million tons of food waste annually. Out of this, the United States generates 126 million tons, Canada generates 13 million tons, and Mexico generates 28 million tons.

The per-capita food wastage amounts in North American countries are among the highest in the world. In the United States, the estimated per capita food wastage per person in a year is approximately 415 kg. Canada has a slightly lower figure at 396 kg per person, while Mexico has the lowest estimated per capita food wastage per person in a year among these three countries, at 249 kg.

The economic impact of food wastage in North America is significant, with an estimated loss of around $278 billion every year. This loss includes the cost of producing, processing, and transporting the wasted food, as well as the lost value of the food itself.

The North American region has witnessed a significant increase in the adoption of advanced technologies and innovative solutions for food waste management. Various companies and organizations are implementing strategies to reduce food waste, such as implementing better inventory management systems, improving supply chain logistics, and promoting food donation and redistribution programs. Additionally, there is a growing trend of utilizing food waste for energy generation through anaerobic digestion and composting.

Europe closely follows North America in terms of its efforts to reduce food waste and promote sustainable practices in the food industry. The region has implemented strict regulations and policies to encourage food waste reduction, such as setting targets for reducing food waste at various stages of the supply chain. European countries have also been investing in research and development to find new and effective solutions for food waste management, including innovative packaging, smart labeling, and improved storage and preservation techniques.

Competitive Landscape

The global food waste management market is characterized by intense competition and fragmentation, with numerous small and large players operating in the industry. Some of the key players in the market include Biancamano S.p.A., Biffa plc, Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Clean Harbors, Inc., Cleanaway Waste Management Limited, Danielson Holding Corporation (Covanta Energy Corp.), Ecofast Italia S.r.l., ENERKEM Inc., GFL Environmental Inc., Go Copia, PBC, Goodr, Inc., KITRO SA, Lakeshore Recycling Systems LLC (LRS), Modern Waste Products Inc., Nanhai Development Co., Ltd., Organix Recycling, LLC by Denali Water Solutions LLC, Power Knot LLC, Quest Resource Holding Corporation, Recology Inc., ReFood GmbH & Co. KG, Republic Services, Inc., RETHMANN SE & Co. KG, Rubicon Holdings, LLC, Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc., The Waste Company (UK) Limited, Veolia Environnement S.A. (SUEZ S.A.), Viridor Ltd., Waste Connections, Inc., Waste Management, Inc., Winnow Solutions Ltd., and many more.

To strengthen their market presence and gain a competitive edge, key players in the global food waste management market are adopting various strategies. These strategies include mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations. By joining forces with other companies, players aim to enhance their capabilities, expand their service offerings, and enter new markets.

For example, Veolia recently announced its merger agreement with Vigie SA (formerly known as Suez SA) on August 3, 2022. This merger will create a global leader in ecological transformation, waste management, and resource recovery. The combined entity will have a broader geographic presence and a more extensive portfolio of sustainable solutions to address food waste management challenges.

Similarly, Covanta Holding Corporation, a key player in the industry, acquired Biologic Environmental Services and Waste Solutions on August 29, 2022. This strategic acquisition allows Covanta to integrate Biologic's fully permitted facilities in Northern and Southern California into its portfolio of zero carbon and zero waste-to-landfill services. By expanding its operational footprint, Covanta aims to offer comprehensive and sustainable food waste management solutions to its customers.

Key Questions Answered

What is the projected global market size of food waste management by 2028

Which offering segment generates the highest revenue

In the food waste management market, which type of food waste segment attains the foremost position

Which sources of food waste segment generates the most substantial revenue

Which method segment achieves the highest performance in the food waste management market

Within the market, which end user segment has secured the leading position

Among the various region segments, which segment has taken the leading position

Who are the key players with the largest market share in the food waste management market

What is the estimated global market size for the food waste management market in 2023

What are the main factors driving the growth of the food waste management market

What is the expected incremental growth of the food waste management market during the forecast period