Food Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Challenges in Mitigating Climate Change

Research has highlighted the significant impact of food waste on global greenhouse gas emissions, with the United Nations estimating that food waste accounts for approximately 8% of total global emissions. A study conducted by the University of Connecticut found that expanding organics diversion programs can reduce methane emissions from landfills, but the costs of implementing such programs can be substantial. The study suggests that current organics program designs may not be justified solely on climate grounds, as the costs of mitigating methane emissions can outweigh the benefits.

Key Takeaways:

• Food waste accounts for approximately 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Expanding organics diversion programs can reduce methane emissions from landfills by 45%.
• The cost/ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2e) avoided through organics program expansion is estimated to be $478, with substantial heterogeneity in costs due to variations in landfills and methane capture systems.
• Current organics program designs may be difficult to justify solely on climate grounds due to the high costs of mitigating methane emissions.
• Households in municipalities with large cities and methane capture systems have lower methane emissions per household, resulting in lower costs of CO2e avoided.
• Estimating costs and benefits of organics program expansion is crucial for informing policy decisions on climate change mitigation.
• The study highlights the need for more research on the cost-effectiveness of different waste management strategies.

Statistics:

• 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to food waste.
• 45% reduction in methane emissions from landfills can be achieved through expanding organics diversion programs.
• $478 is the estimated cost/ton of CO2e avoided through organics program expansion.
• 9 times greater than the social benefit of avoided methane is the program cost per household.
• Median organics program expansion would cost $478/ton of CO2e avoided.

Sources:

• Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2025;132.
• Household Landfill Diversion and the Impact On Methane Emissions.
• University of Connecticut, Unit 4201, Wilfred B Young Bldg, Room 315, Storrs, CT 06269, United States.
• Jackson C. Somers, University of Connecticut.
• NewsRx LLC, Global Warming Focus. June 9, 2025; p 1159.