Global Food Waste Management Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Source (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), By Process, By Application, By Waste Type, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2024 - 2031

The Global Food Waste Management Market size is expected to reach $78.40 billion by 2031, rising at a market growth of 7.2% CAGR during the forecast period.

Due to their perishable nature, dairy products are a major source of food waste, especially in regions with limited cold storage infrastructure. With rising awareness about sustainability, the dairy industry has been exploring innovative ways to reduce waste, including upcycling excess dairy into other products or using waste for energy generation. Therefore, the dairy products segment held 14% revenue share in the market in 2023. The increasing focus on circular economy practices and the need to minimize environmental impact have boosted the demand for effective waste management solutions, making it a promising area within the broader food waste management market.

Governments and international organizations are also crucial in driving the market by implementing stricter regulations and promoting waste reduction initiatives. Policies encouraging sustainable practices, such as mandatory food waste separation and landfill diversion targets, are forcing companies to invest in food waste management solutions. Additionally, growing consumer awareness and demand for environmentally responsible practices have compelled food producers and retailers to align with sustainability goals, further accelerating the adoption of waste management technologies. Additionally, the demand for sustainable food practices has also prompted governments and regulatory bodies to implement stricter guidelines and policies. These include regulations on food waste reduction and mandates for companies to report waste management efforts. As a result, food producers and retailers are increasingly motivated to implement waste management systems to meet consumer expectations and comply with evolving legal requirements. These combined pressures make sustainability a critical factor in the food industry’s future growth, driving the market for food waste management technologies and services. Therefore, rising consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly food practices propels the market's growth.

However, expanding consumer and industry incentives is essential to accelerating the adoption of food waste reduction strategies. Governments can play a key role by providing tax breaks, subsidies, or other financial incentives for businesses that invest in waste management technologies. Similarly, consumer incentives, such as loyalty programs or educational campaigns, can encourage individuals to make more sustainable choices. With stronger incentives in place, both consumers and industries are more likely to take action to reduce food waste, driving growth in the market. Thus, limited consumer and industry incentives for food waste reduction are impeding the market's growth.

Waste Type Outlook

Based on waste type, the market is characterized into fruits & vegetables, cereals, oilseeds & pulses, non-veg food, dairy products, and others. The fruits & vegetables segment garnered 33% revenue share in the market in 2023. This is primarily due to the high volume of food waste generated by perishable produce like fruits and vegetables, which often spoil quickly and require efficient waste management solutions. The rapid deterioration of these items leads to significant waste in households and the foodservice industry.

Process Outlook

On the basis of process, the market is classified into anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, incineration/combustion, and others. The anaerobic digestion segment acquired 34% revenue share in the market in 2023. Anaerobic digestion is a process in which microorganisms break down organic waste without oxygen, producing biogas and compost. This process is particularly effective for managing food waste because it helps reduce waste and generates renewable energy in the form of biogas, which can be used for power generation. The growing focus on sustainability and renewable energy has led to increased adoption of anaerobic digestion systems in various sectors, including agriculture, food processing, and waste management, driving the segment’s dominance in the market.

Application Outlook

By application, the market is divided into animal feed, fertilizers, biofuel, and power generation. The fertilizers segment garnered 24% revenue share in the market in 2023. When processed through composting or anaerobic digestion, food waste can be converted into organic fertilizers, which are increasingly in demand due to their eco-friendly properties. These fertilizers are rich in nutrients, making them an excellent alternative to synthetic fertilizers and contributing to soil health. With a growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and the need to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, the demand for food waste-derived fertilizers has surged, making it a key segment in the food waste management market.

Source Outlook

Based on the source the market is segmented into residential, commercial, and industrial. The commercial segment held a 34% revenue share in the market in 2023. This primarily due to significant food waste generated by restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and catering services. Stricter regulations on food waste disposal, growing sustainability initiatives, and advancements in waste processing technologies, such as anaerobic digestion and composting, have boosted the need for efficient waste management solutions in this sector. Additionally, the increasing adoption of food donation programs and waste-to-energy conversion methods has further driven the commercial segment’s growth.

Regional Outlook

Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. The North America segment recorded 41% revenue share in the market in 2023. This dominance can be attributed to the region’s advanced waste management infrastructure, significant investments in sustainable technologies, and strong regulatory support promoting waste reduction and recycling. The growing awareness around food waste and the adoption of innovative solutions such as composting, anaerobic digestion, and food waste-to-energy technologies has propelled the market’s growth in North America. The region’s high consumer and business engagement in sustainable practices has also contributed to its market leadership.

List of Key Companies Profiled

• Veolia Environnement S.A.
• Suez S.A.
• Waste Management, Inc.
• Republic Services, Inc. (Cascade Investment Group, Inc.)
• Reworld Waste, LLC
• Stericycle, Inc.
• Clean Harbors, Inc.
• Biffa plc (Energy Capital Partners Management, LP)
• Remondis SE & Co. KG (Rethmann Se & Co. Kg)
• Cleanaway Waste Management Limited

Global Food Waste Management Market Report Segmentation

By Source

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial

By Process

• Anaerobic Digestion
• Aerobic Digestion
• Incineration/Combustion
• Other Processes

By Application

• Animal Feed
• Fertilizers
• Biofuel
• Power Generation

By Waste Type

• Fruits & Vegetables
• Cereals, Oilseeds & Pulses
• Non Veg Food
• Dairy Products
• Other Types

By Geography

• North America
• US
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America
• Europe
• Germany
• UK
• France
• Russia
• Spain
• Italy
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• LAMEA
• Brazil
• Argentina
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Rest of LAMEA