Food Waste Management Cost Calculator
EPA's food scraps calculator is undergoing revision and currently unavailable. Please check back frequently. If you have any questions, please contact us at rcc-challenge@epa.gov.
Food Scraps
Note: You need to save the Excel file to your computer's hard drive in order to achieve optimum performance. You may need to enable macros for the calculator to work properly.
The Excel Food Waste Management Calculator | The Food Waste Management Calculator Example (PDF) estimates the cost competitiveness of alternatives to food waste disposal, including source reduction, donation, composting, and recycling of fats, oils, and grease. Specifically, the calculator:
- Develops an alternative food scraps management scenario based on:
- Your waste profile;
- Availability of diversion methods; and
- Preferences, and
- Compares cost estimates for a disposal versus alternative scenario.
The Cost Calculator can help you demonstrate that environmentally and socially responsible food scraps management is cost-effective for many facilities and waste streams. The more you know about your current waste management costs, the more accurate the calculator’s estimate will be, but default values are provided for many variables.