The global food waste management market reached $69.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand to USD$136.2 billion by 2032, according to a new report from DataM Intelligence. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% over the forecast period, driven by increasing environmental concerns and stricter waste disposal regulations worldwide.
The market encompasses solutions for reducing, recycling, and repurposing food waste across multiple sectors including hospitality, retail, and residential sources. As food security concerns intensify and environmental regulations tighten, demand for innovative and sustainable waste management practices continues to rise.
Recent industry initiatives highlight the sector’s momentum toward more sustainable approaches. In February 2025, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK announced plans to develop an anaerobic digestion facility near West London. If approved, the facility would generate renewable gas capable of powering approximately 8,200 homes while reducing carbon emissions.
In December 2024, Veolia and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company signed a strategic agreement to manage various waste streams, including organic waste, at both regional and national levels in Saudi Arabia. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to enhance sustainability infrastructure throughout the country.
Market segmentation shows diverse approaches
The food waste management market encompasses several segments based on waste type, source, service, and process. Waste types include cereals, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, among others. Sources of food waste span residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Services in this market include collection, transportation, and disposal or recycling, while processes range from aerobic digestion and anaerobic digestion to incineration/combustion and other methods.
Major companies operating in the food waste management space include Veolia Environnement, SUEZ, Waste Management, Inc., Republic Services, Inc., Covanta Ltd., Stericycle, Inc., Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., FCC Environment, Remondis SE & Co. KG, and Clean Harbors, Inc.
These companies are developing new technologies and expanding infrastructure to address the growing demand for sustainable food waste solutions. Their approaches include building new processing facilities, forming strategic partnerships, and innovating processing methods that maximize resource recovery.
Regional market insights on food waste management
The North American market, particularly the United States, continues to show strong growth due to increased regulatory pressure and corporate sustainability commitments. Europe remains a leader in advanced food waste management technologies, with countries like Germany, France, and the UK implementing progressive policies to divert food waste from landfills.
The Asia-Pacific region presents significant growth opportunities as urbanization increases and waste management infrastructure develops. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are investing in technologies to address mounting food waste challenges in densely populated urban centers.
As environmental concerns intensify and circular economy principles gain traction, the food waste management sector is poised for continued expansion. Technological innovations in waste-to-energy conversion, composting, and anaerobic digestion offer promising avenues for turning what was once considered waste into valuable resources.
This market growth reflects a broader global shift toward sustainable resource management and highlights the economic opportunities emerging from environmental challenges.
The full report can be purchased here.
