A new study of over 2,000 young adults in the United States found that about 1 in 4 people waste a lot of food—throwing away 30% or more of what they buy. While most young adults say they care about food waste and want to reduce it, they face real challenges like not knowing how to store leftovers properly or understanding why it matters. The research shows that food waste varies depending on race and how financially secure someone feels. The good news? Experts say we can fix this by making it easier to save food and teaching young adults practical tips for reducing waste.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much food young adults throw away, what stops them from reducing waste, and what barriers they face when trying to waste less food
  • Who participated: 2,132 young adults living in the United States who took an online survey between November and December 2023. The group included people of different races, ethnicities, and financial backgrounds.
  • Key finding: About 26% of young adults reported throwing away a large amount of food (at least 30% of what they purchase). However, 77% said they care about food waste, and 45% said they plan to waste less food in the next month.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a young adult, you might be wasting more food than you realize. The good news is that most people want to change this habit. Understanding why you waste food and learning practical storage tips could help you save money and reduce environmental impact. This is especially helpful if you’re just learning to manage your own food and kitchen.

The Research Details

Researchers created an online survey and asked over 2,000 young adults in the United States to answer questions about their food waste habits. The survey was conducted between November and December 2023. Participants answered questions about how much food they throw away, what makes it hard to reduce waste, and their thoughts about food waste. The researchers also asked about personal details like race, ethnicity, and financial situation to see if these factors affected food waste behavior.

The study used a method called logistic regression to find patterns in the data—basically looking for connections between different factors and food waste. For example, they could see if people with different financial situations had different amounts of food waste. This type of study is called “cross-sectional” because it takes a snapshot of people at one point in time, rather than following them over months or years.

Young adults are an important group to study because they’re often learning how to manage their own food and kitchen for the first time. The habits they develop now can last their whole lives. Understanding what stops young adults from reducing food waste helps experts create better solutions—like easier ways to store food or better education about why waste matters.

This study has some strengths and some limitations to keep in mind. The large sample size (over 2,000 people) gives us confidence that the findings represent many young adults. However, the study only asked people to report their own behavior, which means some people might not remember accurately or might answer differently than they actually behave. Also, people who took the online survey might be different from young adults who didn’t participate, which could affect the results. The study was conducted at one specific time, so it shows a snapshot rather than how behaviors change over time.

What the Results Show

The study found that food waste is a real problem among young adults. About 1 in 4 young adults (26%) reported high food waste, meaning they throw away at least 30% of the food they buy. This is a significant amount of waste. On the positive side, most young adults (77%) said they care about food waste and think it’s a problem. Even better, nearly half (45%) said they plan to reduce their food waste in the next 30 days, showing that people are motivated to change.

The researchers also discovered that food waste isn’t the same for everyone. Young adults who identified as non-Hispanic Black reported higher food waste compared to non-Hispanic White young adults. Interestingly, people who said their money situation was tight (they could meet their needs with just a little left over) actually wasted less food than people who felt financially comfortable. This might be because people with less money are more careful about what they buy and use.

The study identified three main barriers that stop young adults from reducing food waste. The biggest barrier (25% of people) was not knowing how to save food for later—like proper storage methods or how long food lasts in the refrigerator. The second barrier (18%) was limited motivation or not caring enough to avoid waste. The third barrier (17%) was simply not knowing how to prevent food waste in the first place. These barriers suggest that education and practical solutions could make a real difference.

This research adds to what we already know about food waste by focusing specifically on young adults, a group that hasn’t been studied as much. Previous research has shown that food waste is a major problem in the United States, but this study helps us understand the specific challenges young adults face. The finding that financial situation affects food waste aligns with other research suggesting that people with fewer resources tend to be more careful about food. The barriers identified in this study (not knowing how to store food, lack of motivation, lack of knowledge) are consistent with what other researchers have found in different populations.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only included people who took an online survey, which means it might not represent all young adults—especially those without internet access or who don’t use surveys online. Second, the study asked people to report their own behavior, and people aren’t always accurate when remembering or describing their habits. Some people might overestimate or underestimate how much they waste. Third, the study was conducted at just one point in time (November-December 2023), so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same throughout the year or change over time. Finally, the study couldn’t prove that certain factors actually cause food waste—it only showed that they’re connected.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a young adult, consider these evidence-based steps to reduce food waste: (1) Learn proper food storage techniques—this directly addresses the biggest barrier identified in the study. (2) Plan meals before shopping to buy only what you’ll use. (3) Understand why reducing waste matters (environmental impact, saving money) to increase motivation. (4) Start with small changes rather than trying to eliminate all waste at once. These recommendations are supported by the study’s findings about the main barriers young adults face. Confidence level: Moderate, since the study shows what barriers exist but doesn’t test whether specific solutions actually work.

This research is most relevant to young adults (roughly ages 18-35) who are managing their own food and kitchen. It’s especially important for people just starting to live independently. Parents and educators who work with young adults should also pay attention, as they can help teach food management skills. Food policy makers and environmental organizations focused on sustainability should care about this research because it identifies specific barriers that could be addressed with programs or policies. However, this research is less directly relevant to older adults who already have established food habits or to people in countries with very different food systems.

If you start implementing these changes, you might see results fairly quickly. The study found that 45% of young adults said they’d reduce waste in the next 30 days, suggesting that changes can happen within a month. However, building lasting habits usually takes longer—typically 2-3 months of consistent practice. You might see immediate benefits like saving money on groceries within the first month, but environmental impact and habit formation take longer to develop.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the percentage of food you throw away each week. Take a photo of your trash or compost bin once a week and estimate what percentage of your groceries ended up as waste. Record this number in the app to see if it decreases over time. Aim to reduce your percentage by 5% each month.
  • Use the app to set a weekly reminder to plan your meals before shopping. Create a shopping list based on your meal plan and check it off as you shop. The app could also send you tips about food storage methods or recipes for using up ingredients before they spoil.
  • Set up a monthly check-in where you review your food waste percentage and identify which foods you waste most often. Use this information to adjust your shopping and meal planning. Track which storage methods work best for you and which barriers you’ve successfully overcome. Over time, this data helps you understand your personal food waste patterns and what solutions work for your lifestyle.

This research describes food waste behaviors among young adults but does not provide medical or nutritional advice. The findings are based on self-reported data from a single survey and may not apply to all young adults or populations. If you have specific concerns about food safety, nutrition, or dietary needs, please consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This study shows associations between factors and food waste but does not prove that one causes the other. Always follow proper food safety guidelines when storing and preparing food.