Food waste by the numbers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates Americans generated 37 million tons of food waste in 2013, the latest numbers available. Here are more statistics on how that refuse breaks down—and what some communities are doing to help.

5%

The amount of food waste diverted to composting.

$165 billion

The annual estimated cost of food waste.

31%

The amount of the U.S. total food supply that ends up as waste.

88,500 tons

The amount of food donated to needy people under the EPA’s 2014 Food Recovery Challenge.

2009

The year San Francisco passed its Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance, which requires all residents and businesses to participate in recycling and composting programs.

2020

The year by which San Francisco aims to become a zero-waste city.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency