Cities, Businesses Tackle Food Waste Crisis

Innovative solutions aim to halve global food waste by 2030 and curb methane emissions

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:02am

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As the world wastes around 1 billion tonnes of food per year, cities, hotels, retailers, and other businesses are implementing creative strategies to measure, reduce, and repurpose food waste. From Hilton's Green Ramadan initiative to Walmart's 'Save Some Dough' program, organizations are finding ways to cut food waste, keep edible food out of landfills, and contribute to global climate goals.

Why it matters

Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, generating 14% of the world's methane, a powerful driver of global warming. Reducing food waste can have a significant impact on climate change while also saving the resources used to produce that wasted food. Cities, hotels, and retailers play a crucial role in tackling this global challenge through innovative policies, programs, and partnerships.

The details

The food service industry accounts for 28% of global food waste, or 290 million tonnes annually. Hilton's Green Ramadan initiative, part of the UN Environment Programme's 'Recipe of Change' campaign, achieved a 26% reduction in post-consumer plate waste in 2025 by training staff, serving smaller portions, and replacing buffets with set menus. Retailers like Walmart and FamilyMart are also taking action, using creative merchandising and labeling to encourage customers to purchase near-expiry goods. At the city level, New York diverted nearly 130,000 tonnes of food waste from landfills in 2024 through residential curbside collection and business requirements, while Bangkok incentivizes residents to separate food waste.

  • In 2022, the food service sector measured 290 million tonnes of food waste, 28% of the total.
  • In 2024, New York City's residential food waste collection program diverted nearly 130,000 tonnes from landfills.
  • In 2025, Hilton's Green Ramadan initiative achieved a 26% reduction in post-consumer plate waste.

The players

UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

The United Nations' leading environmental authority, working to prevent food waste and mitigate methane emissions globally.

Hilton

A major hotel chain that implemented the Green Ramadan initiative to reduce food waste across 45 hotels in 14 countries.

Walmart

A large American retailer that piloted the 'Save Some Dough' program to encourage customers to purchase near-expiry baked goods.

FamilyMart

A Japanese convenience store chain that used emotional labeling to boost sales of near-expiry goods and reduce food waste.

New York City

A city that implemented a residential food waste collection program and business requirements to divert 130,000 tonnes from landfills in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“Food waste is often overlooked as an inevitable cost of doing business, but data - a key pillar of the Food Waste Breakthrough - helps make it visible and therefore actionable.”

— Clementine O'Connor, Sustainable Food Systems Programme Management Officer, UN Environment Programme

“Supermarkets have an outsized impact on food waste, both in the home and across their supply chains. We are working with retailers to communicate the business case for helping their customers waste less food, beyond sustainability departments to core operations.”

— Clementine O'Connor, Sustainable Food Systems Programme Management Officer, UN Environment Programme

“To get food waste out of landfills you need separate collections of food waste from households, which as an initial shift can be expensive and challenging. But cities like New York have found a way to collect that food waste so that something productive can be done with it.”

— Fernanda Romero, Waste Policy Lead, UN Environment Programme Brazil Office

What’s next

Zero Waste Day 2026, held annually on March 30, will focus on global efforts to prevent food waste and strengthen zero-waste food systems.

The takeaway

By implementing innovative solutions across the public and private sectors, cities and businesses are making significant progress in the global fight against food waste. These efforts not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also demonstrate how collective action can create a more sustainable and equitable food system.