About the Food Waste Savings Calculator
What is the Food Waste Savings Calculator?
The UNEP Food Waste Index estimates Indian households waste around 55 kg of food per person each year. This food waste savings calculator shows what cutting that is worth.
It estimates money saved, food rescued and emissions avoided.
How to use the Food Waste Savings Calculator
- Household Size (sample: 4)
- Monthly Food Spend (₹) (sample: 12,000)
- Food Thrown Away (% of purchases) (sample: 10)
- Reduction You Plan (%) (sample: 50)
- Household Waste per Person (kg/year) (sample: 55)
- Press Calculate Savings (results also refresh as you type). The result card shows the Yearly Savings, along with Money wasted now per month, Monthly savings, Food wasted now per year and Food saved per year.
Formula used
Yearly savings = Monthly spend × Waste % × Reduction % × 12
- Emissions = about 2.5 kg CO₂e per kg of food wasted
Worked example
These are the sample values already filled in the calculator above, and the result it returns for them:
| Input | Sample value |
|---|---|
| Household Size | 4 |
| Monthly Food Spend (₹) | 12,000 |
| Food Thrown Away (% of purchases) | 10 |
| Reduction You Plan (%) | 50 |
| Household Waste per Person (kg/year) | 55 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Yearly Savings | ₹7,200 |
| Money wasted now per month | ₹1,200 |
| Monthly savings | ₹600 |
| Food wasted now per year | 220 kg |
| Food saved per year | 110 kg |
| Emissions avoided (≈2.5 kg CO₂e per kg) | 275 kg CO₂e |
| Meals rescued (≈0.4 kg per meal) | 275 |
Tips for using the Food Waste Savings Calculator
- Store leftovers in clear containers at eye level so they get eaten.
- Cook rice and roti in smaller batches, or plan leftover meals like fried rice.