Food Waste Estimator

The NYSP2I Food Waste Estimator is an interactive estimation tool that provides the approximate weight of food waste generated per week by category (e.g., lodging and hotels). The tool leverages proxy measures, such as meals served, based on published studies referenced below.*

A waste estimate can be a helpful starting place for institutions, businesses, and municipalities that generate food waste and are interested in:

  • estimating food waste amounts for hauling needs (e.g., number of bins and pick-up frequency).
  • setting waste reduction goals.
  • gaining a better understanding of climate impacts from food waste.
  • starting a compost pile or other organics recycling site.
Pick A Category
  • Colleges and Universities - Residential
  • Colleges and Universities – Non-Residential
  • Corporate Cafeterias
  • County Jails and Other Institutions
  • Food Wholesale and Distribution
  • Grocery, Specialty Foods, and Convenience Stores
  • Hospitals
  • Lodging and Hotels
  • Nursing Homes
  • NYS Correctional Facilities
  • Residential Households
  • Restaurants - full service
  • Restaurants - limited service
  • Schools - elementary
  • Schools - middle
  • Schools - high
  • Supercenters
  • Venues and Events
 

To get started, select a category

Food Waste Generation Factor
0.00 lb/bed
0.00 lb/bed
0.00 lb/bed
Input Fields
 
 
 
0 lb/week
0 tons/week

This tool provides users with an approximate weight of food waste generated per week for informational purposes. Results may vary across businesses, institutions, and households as practices or other factors vary by location and may or may not have been accounted for in the original studies. If you'd like to learn more about how these estimates were created and the assumptions behind them, we recommend reviewing the studies listed in the resource below.

Data gathered using one or more types of data collection methods (e.g., waste audits, mass balance, and ongoing weight measurements) as well as from additional resources is also useful for informed decision-making.

See more food waste resources:

* Food Waste estimation factors sources are listed here.