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The food waste management market size is estimated to grow by USD 9.12 billion at a CAGR of 4.25% between 2023 and 2028. The market's expansion hinges on various factors, including escalating concerns regarding carbon emissions prompting the management of food waste, the conversion of such waste into bio-based products and organic fertilizers, and the increasing enforcement of regulations and favorable policies. These elements reflect a broader movement toward sustainable practices, where businesses and governments seek to mitigate environmental impact while creating value from waste streams. The conversion of food waste into valuable products not only addresses environmental concerns but also presents economic opportunities. This reduction requires favorable government regulation to promote waste reduction practices, increased consumer awareness about the environmental and social impacts of food waste, and the promotion of composting as a sustainable waste management solution. This convergence of environmental awareness, technological innovation, and regulatory support propels the market's growth in addressing food waste challenges.
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The landfill segment will account for a major share of the market's growth during the forecast period. A landfill is an area of land in which hazardous waste generated from households and commercial and industrial sectors is disposed of. The rising volume of food waste generated across the world has made landfills the preferred waste disposal method, especially in developing countries, as other disposal methods, such as incineration, are expensive.
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The landfill segment was valued at USD 13.80 billion in 2018. Landfill, as a food waste disposal method, is preferred due to the efficient management of the released LFG. For instance, methane, an LFG, is released into the atmosphere due to the anaerobic decomposition of the organic fractions of food waste present in landfills. Methane, which is a greenhouse gas (GHG), has the potential to cause climatic degradation. However, it can be used for electricity generation if it is collected and treated efficiently. The demand for LFG is increasing because of its economic benefits. As a result, governments of several countries across the world are undertaking initiatives to promote the use of LFG to generate electricity. Such factors will increase segment growth during the forecast period.
Based on application, the market has been segmented into feed, fertilizers, biofuel, and power generation. The feed segment will account for the largest share of this segment. In the market, the application segment feed refers to the use of these for animal feed. The waste that is not suitable for human consumption can be converted into animal feed, which has several benefits. Firstly, it reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, which helps to reduce the environmental impact.
Moreover, the feed application segment is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years as more companies and governments look for ways to reduce this and promote sustainable practices in the agriculture sector. Thus, the feed segment is expected to grow during the forecast period.
North America is estimated to contribute 38% to the growth by 2028. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends, drivers, and challenges that are expected to shape the market during the forecast period.
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The US has adopted the three Rs, namely reduce, reuse, and recycle, by employing a systemic approach for reducing material use and associated environmental impacts over the entire life cycle of materials via a process known as sustainable materials management (SMM). SMM considers the entire life cycle of a product, which begins from the extraction of natural resources to end-of-life management. Furthermore, to put surplus food to better use, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) partners with businesses and organizations in the Food Recovery Challenge (FRC), thus helping the participants to support their communities through donations and improve their bottom line by reducing waste.
Moreover, the FRC is a voluntary program that aims at reducing meals loss and waste, tracking progress, and reporting results. Several states in the US, such as Connecticut, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont, and municipalities, such as Austin (Texas), New York City (New York), Boulder (Colorado), Seattle (Washington), San Francisco (California), have implemented mandatory organic waste recycling laws in the past few years.
Our analysis of the adoption life cycle of the market indicates its movement between the innovator's stage and the laggard's stage. The report illustrates the lifecycle of the market, focusing on the adoption rates of the major countries. Technavio has included key purchase criteria, adoption rates, adoption lifecycles, and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies from 2023 to 2028.
Global Market Customer Landscape
The market addresses the concerns of health-conscious consumers and various sectors, such as food processing facilities, merchants, wholesalers, food service providers, and the government regarding edible waste. It involves managing the composting process for different waste types, including the fruit and vegetable segment, cereals, dairy & dairy product segment, and meat and meat products to reduce Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions. Solutions target the residential source segment and the institutional, commercial, and industrial sectors. Service types include collection, open dumping, composting, and biogas production. The market is driven by factors such as favorable government regulations, consumer awareness, and the need to address environmental and social issues related to these and imported products.
One of the key drivers supporting the market growth is the growing concern about carbon emissions. The use of fossil fuels for energy generation is a major reason for the rise in carbon emissions across the globe, and the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources for energy generation is a possible way to achieve environmental sustainability. This is one of the most important sources of carbon emissions that is often overlooked. Food waste that gets piled up in open dumps rots and releases methane, a GHG, which is more harmful than CO2.
Moreover, about one-tenth of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that come from these can indeed be reduced by stopping food wastage. Implementing these measures can significantly reduce the environmental impact of food waste. Another approach for reducing GHG emissions is management, which involves efficient disposal, recycling, and conversion of food waste into useful materials. Therefore, the growing concern about carbon emission levels will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.
One of the key market trends contributing to the market growth is the rising number of startups. This is generated in large volumes daily across the globe. Hence, it is crucial to manage food waste efficiently to prevent adverse impacts on the environment and human health.
Moreover, companies are utilizing thousands of tons of watermelons that stay in fields to rot due to the judgment of being unattractive for sale in supermarkets. Companies utilizes the byproducts of edible manufacturing and turns them into premium products and ingredients. Such initiatives will drive the market growth during the forecast period.
One of the factors impeding the market growth is the increasing risk of fire accidents. Landfills are areas of land that are used to dispose of non-hazardous household, commercial, and industrial solid waste and sludge. Landfills generate GHGs such as methane, which is trapped in landfills and gets heated up due to the absence of oxygen in garbage landfills, resulting in fire accidents, which are dangerous to human lives.
However, the rise in the number of fire accidents has led to a rise in concerns over the accumulation of debris in landfills. Therefore, the increasing risk of fire accidents because of food waste accumulation at landfills will impede the growth of the market during the forecast period.
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.
Biffa Plc: The company offers food waste management service such as food waste collection service, and a container to dispose of food waste.
China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.: The company offers food waste management applications for food and kitchen waste treatment, sludge treatment and disposal, methane to energy, construction, and decoration waste treatment.
We also have detailed analyses of the market's competitive landscape and offer information on 20 market companies, including:
Technavio report provides an in-depth analysis of the market and its players through combined qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis classifies companies into categories based on their business approaches, including pure-play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified. Companies are specially categorized into dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak, based on their quantitative data analysis.
The market research report provides comprehensive data (region wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD Billion" for the period 2024 to 2028, as well as historical data from 2018 to 2022 for the following segments.
The market is driven by initiatives like the Love Food Hate Waste campaign and the Stop Wasting Food Program to address food waste challenges. Government agencies and organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) promote initiatives such as the Zero Hunger Challenge. Businesses, including large businesses, fast-food cafes, and hotel chains, are increasingly adopting cutting-edge technology for efficient waste management. Solutions target various sectors like the institutional sector, commercial sector, and industrial segment, focusing on collection, applications, and reducing spoiled and exotic food items. Technologies like gasification and anaerobic digestion are used for food waste conversion into fertilizer and biogas.
Moreover, urbanization, Waste management business, and supply chain interruptions are driving factors for the market, emphasizing the importance of sustainable food waste reduction rules and regulations. Waste type insights reveal critical issues like spoilage of food and its role in hunger crises, particularly in the context of American family's wastage. The United Kingdom government and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) are addressing these challenges through initiatives with food rescue organizations. Gasification technology and aerobic digestion are being explored to manage waste and reduce disease transfer. The dietary supply chain faces scrutiny, with municipality garbage collectors playing a key role in the collection segment. Understanding these service types insights and applications segment is crucial for improving waste management and sustainability.
Market Scope |
|
Report Coverage |
Details |
Page number |
182 |
Base year |
2023 |
Historic period |
2018 - 2022 |
Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.25% |
Market growth 2024-2028 |
USD 9.12 billion |
Market structure |
Fragmented |
YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
4.08 |
Regional analysis |
North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa |
Performing market contribution |
North America at 38% |
Key countries |
US, China, Germany, Canada, and France |
Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Key companies profiled |
Biffa Plc, Casella Waste Systems Inc., China Everbright Environment Group Ltd., Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd., Covanta Holding Corp., FCC SA, GFL Environmental Inc., Hitachi Zosen Corp., Interstate Waste Services Inc., PHENIX SAS, PreZero Stiftung and Co. KG, Recology Inc., Republic Services Inc., RETHMANN SE and Co. KG, US Foods Holding Corp., Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, Veolia Environnement SA, Waste Connections Inc., Waste Management Inc., and Winnow Solutions Ltd. |
Market dynamics |
Parent market analysis, Market forecasting growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, Market growth and Forecasting, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period |
Customization purview |
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1 Executive Summary
2 Market Landscape
3 Market Sizing
4 Historic Market Size
5 Five Forces Analysis
6 Market Segmentation by Method
7 Market Segmentation by Application
8 Customer Landscape
9 Geographic Landscape
10 Drivers, Challenges, and Opportunity/Restraints
11 Competitive Landscape
12 Competitive Analysis
13 Appendix
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