Food waste quantity and cost calculator
Convert weighed events to a transparent ingredient-cost estimate while keeping units, assumptions and uncertainty visible.
- Input controls
- Calculation
- Interpretation
Weekly review or after a measurement campaign · Includes example records and blank register rows
One check.
One clear answer.
Confirm net quantity and unit for every event.
Tap an answer to continue
Interactive example · No account needed
A quick check.
Then back to your day.
A clear starting point
Make it your own
Start right here
A little structure.
A more confident shift.
Prevent menu price, purchase cost, recipe cost and estimated opportunity from being combined into a misleading savings number.
Make it specific to your site.
Gather event weights, tare records, current purchase units, recipe costs and service volumes for the same reporting period.
Food waste quantity and cost calculator
Site: ____________________ Date: ______________
Completed by: _____________ Reviewed by: _____________
Cost calculation
Fictional worked example. Use the blank rows for your own records.
| Event ID | Net quantity | Unit | Cost basis | Cost per unit | Calculated cost | Estimated? | Stock reconciliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | kg | Purchase / recipe | — | — | No | Not duplicated | — |
01Input controls
Confirm net quantity and unit for every event.
Record conversion factors with their source.
State whether cost is purchase or recipe based.
Freeze the basis date for the reporting period.
02Calculation
Multiply net quantity by the matching unit cost.
Keep estimated mixed-food allocations visible.
Do not add logged waste again to stock variance.
Separate currency total from kg per cover.
03Interpretation
Compare like-for-like services and periods.
Explain price, volume and menu changes.
Report estimated opportunity separately from verified savings.
Obtain reviewer sign-off on assumptions.
Close the loop
Reconcile totals to source events, label exclusions and compare quantity per cover before interpreting a change in currency value.
Kivloo · kivloo.app/template-library/food-waste-cost-calculator
How to use the downloaded checklist
Open the CSV in your spreadsheet app. Adapt the checks, enter your approved criteria and add any missing site requirements. Use the result, action, owner, due date and verification columns to document follow-up.
Keep the original observation when a check fails. Record the corrective action and verification separately so the full sequence remains clear.
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