By Mara Pernick

We have all heard the saying, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach,” and most of us have lived it. Perhaps you’ve piled your plate too high at a buffet, or you’ve gone back for seconds you couldn’t finish. Maybe you bought more groceries than you could realistically eat before they spoiled. While each instance of tossing unused food may feel insignificant, these small habits add up quickly. 

When millions of households think “it’s just a little,” the collective waste becomes massive. Much of this discarded food ends up in landfills, where it decomposes and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. Although it is important to avoid eating expired or unsafe food, it is equally important to be mindful of how much we waste in the first place. The United Nations Environment Programme’s 2024 Food Waste Index Report estimates that household food waste totals around 600 million tonnes globally each year — the cumulative result of small decisions, like that extra spoonful of pasta you didn’t need at the buffet or the leftovers you forgot about that could have been saved or repurposed.

The True Cost of Food Waste

Food waste is not just an environmental issue; it is a financial one. Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that the average U.S. family loses between $1,500 and $3,000 every year on food that is purchased but never eaten. As food prices continue to rise, that number only grows. Food waste affects households and the broader food system. When food is wasted, so are all the resources that went into producing it — the time, money and energy of farmers, transporters, grocery workers and consumers themselves. 

There are several reasons why food gets wasted at home. Overbuying and poor planning are among the most common. Many people shop without checking what they already have, leading to duplicate purchases and forgotten items that spoil. Confusion over labeling also contributes to waste. Terms like “sell by,” “use by,” and “best by” typically refer to quality rather than safety, meaning many foods remain perfectly safe to eat after the printed date if stored properly. 

USDA Label Terms Defined

Best if used by / Before

This indicates a quality date. Use by the suggested date for peak flavor or quality, not safety.

Sell-by

This term is for retailers. It tells them how long to display the product. It is not a safety date.

Use-by

Defines the last date for best quality. For some perishable foods, it may relate to quality decline, but not a universal safety cutoff.

Improper storage is another major factor contributing to food waste. For example, produce spoils faster when not kept in the right conditions. Leftovers often go uneaten simply because they aren’t incorporated into future meals. Additionally, consumers frequently discard produce that looks imperfect, even though blemishes rarely affect taste or safety.

Simple Steps to Reduce Waste and Save Money

The good news is that there are simple steps households can take to start reducing food waste. Planning meals and shopping with intention can prevent overbuying and help families stay on budget. Storing food properly extends its shelf life, and freezing items that won’t be used right away prevents spoilage. Cooking and serving smaller portions, saving leftovers, and repurposing scraps can significantly cut down on waste. Understanding date labels also help ensure that food isn’t thrown out prematurely. Composting, when possible, keeps food out of landfills and returns nutrients to the soil. Small changes in daily habits can make a meaningful difference.

Reducing food waste is important for environmental, economic and social reasons. Environmentally, cutting waste reduces methane emissions and conserves the water, land and energy required to grow and transport food. Economically, it helps families save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. Socially, reducing waste can help address food insecurity. 

Food rescue organizations, such as Waste Not in Arizona, collect fresh surplus food from restaurants and events and deliver it to people in need. This work is especially critical in Arizona, where Feed America estimates one in seven people face food insecurity. Through community partnerships, Waste Not has been dedicated to eliminating hunger and reducing food waste across Arizona since 1987. In 2025, Waste Not successfully diverted over 2.9 million pounds of food from landfills. 

To learn more about opportunities for volunteering, food donations or partnerships, learn more at Waste Not.