Abstract The increasing amount of solid household waste is perceived as a problem in urgent need of solution in all industrialized countries. In this article the relation between household waste production and consumption styles is assessed. The popular hypothesis that the growth in household waste production in recent decades is caused by the rising processing level (and hence the increasing packaging intensity) of food is tested. In its simple form this hypothesis is refuted. Most of the growth in household solid waste in the industrialized countries can be satisfactorily explained by quantitative growth in consumption. The changes in consumption styles associated with a rising processing level of food have sometimes accelerated and other times decelerated household waste production. However, the pattern of development is complex and better data are needed before the full impact of the rising processing level of food can be calculated.