Includes all waste that is managed via landfill, controlled combustion, sewer/wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, composting, and land application stemming from the food retail, food service, and residential sectors.
Supplementary notes
Figures have been rounded.
The source did not provide data for 2017.
Citation formats
Per capita food waste generated in the United States 2016-2019
Per capita food waste in the United States amounted to *** pounds in 2019. This excludes food waste from food manufacturing and processing and only includes retail, food services, and waste generated at home. From 2016 to 2019 per capita food waste increased by ** pounds.
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Environmental Protection Agency. (April 3, 2023). Estimated per capita volume of food waste generated in the United States from 2016 to 2019 (in pounds per capita) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 04, 2026, from /statistics/1386296/amount-of-food-waste-generated-in-the-united-states/
Environmental Protection Agency. "Estimated per capita volume of food waste generated in the United States from 2016 to 2019 (in pounds per capita)." Chart. April 3, 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 04, 2026. /statistics/1386296/amount-of-food-waste-generated-in-the-united-states/
Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Estimated per capita volume of food waste generated in the United States from 2016 to 2019 (in pounds per capita). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 04, 2026. /statistics/1386296/amount-of-food-waste-generated-in-the-united-states/
Environmental Protection Agency. "Estimated per Capita Volume of Food Waste Generated in The United States from 2016 to 2019 (in Pounds per Capita)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 3 Apr 2023, /statistics/1386296/amount-of-food-waste-generated-in-the-united-states/
Environmental Protection Agency, Estimated per capita volume of food waste generated in the United States from 2016 to 2019 (in pounds per capita) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1386296/amount-of-food-waste-generated-in-the-united-states/ (last visited August 04, 2026)
Estimated per capita volume of food waste generated in the United States from 2016 to 2019 (in pounds per capita) [Graph], Environmental Protection Agency, April 3, 2023. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1386296/amount-of-food-waste-generated-in-the-united-states/
