Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of internal and external capacity on the practical capacity for food waste disposal in adults. Methods: The study subjects were 410 adults who answered a structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted in January 2021. Data were analyzed through descriprive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS Win 24.0. Results: First, in the analysis of internal capacity, attitude (3.95 out of 5 points) scored higher than knowledge (3.59 points). Attitudes showed significant differences according to gender (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), and income (P < 0.001). Knowledge showed significant differences according to gender (P < 0.01) and age (P < 0.05). Second, in the analysis of capacity, market constraints (3.73 points) scored the highest, followed by institutional conditions (3.48 points) and reference group (3.36 points). Market constraints differed according to gender (P < 0.001), and institutional conditions differed according to income (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the reference group according to the level of education (P < 0.05) and income (P < 0.05). Third, the practical capacity scores appeared in the order of separating discharge behavior, using behavior, purchasing behavior, and leadership behavior. Separating discharge behavior showed significant differences according to gender (P < 0.001), education level (P < 0.05), and income (P < 0.01). Using behavior showed a difference according to gender (P < 0.01), and purchasing behavior showed a significant difference according to income (P < 0.05). Leadership behavior showed no difference according to demographic factors. Fourth, internal capacity and external capacity showed a significant positive relationship with practical capacity. Factors affecting purchasing behavior were knowledge, attitude, institutional conditions, and reference group, and their explanatory power was 53%. Factors influencing using behavior were knowledge, attitude, institutional conditions, and reference group, and had an explanatory power of 37%. Leadership behavior was influenced by institutional conditions and the reference group, with an explanatory power of 31%. Conclusions: Internal capacity, external capacity, and practical capacity show differences according to demographic factors. Factors influencing the practical capacity of adults were knowledge, attitude, institutional conditions, and reference group.