Food Waste Began to Decline 4 Years After the Pandemic, Refed Finds

Why It Matters

The decline indicates that combined policy and private‑sector action can meaningfully curb food waste, lowering disposal costs and environmental impact while opening efficiency gains for food businesses.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. surplus food fell 2.2% to 70 million tons in 2024.
• Residential waste dropped by 950,000 tons, cutting per‑capita waste 3.7%.
• Private sector funding for waste solutions rose 16% in 2025.
• 24 state food‑waste bills passed in 2025, expanding diversion policies.
• 85% of surplus food still ends up in landfill.

Pulse Analysis

The latest Refed analysis marks a turning point in America’s food‑waste trajectory. After peaking at 74.6 million tons in 2019, surplus food generation has slipped to roughly 70 million tons, a 2.2% decline in 2024. This modest reduction is driven largely by a near‑million‑ton cut in residential waste, which translates into a 3.7% per‑capita improvement. While the overall waste share still represents about 29% of the nation’s food supply, the downward shift suggests that the combination of pandemic‑induced habit changes and emerging waste‑reduction initiatives is beginning to take hold.

Policy momentum and private capital are the twin engines behind the shift. State legislatures enacted 24 supportive food‑waste bills in 2025, expanding diversion requirements and setting the stage for future mandates similar to California’s SB 1383. At the federal level, the EPA’s Feed It Onward Initiative, though still nascent, signals a renewed focus on redirecting surplus food to vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, funding for waste‑solution technologies rose 6% in 2025, with private sector contributions outpacing the loss of federal grants by a 16% increase. Corporate coalitions such as the U.S. Food Waste Pact are also reporting measurable reductions, underscoring that business leaders recognize waste mitigation as a cost‑saving and brand‑enhancing strategy.

For the broader market, the decline in food waste presents both risk mitigation and growth opportunities. Reducing waste can lower disposal expenses, improve supply‑chain efficiency, and enhance ESG credentials, which are increasingly tied to investor and consumer expectations. However, with 85% of surplus food still destined for landfill, substantial upside remains. Continued legislative support, coupled with scalable technology investments, could accelerate the transition toward a circular food system, delivering environmental benefits and new revenue streams for firms that capture, repurpose, or donate excess food.