CHICAGO—Hilton, a global leader in hospitality, has become the first signatory from its sector to sign the U.S. Food Waste Pact, the national voluntary agreement focused on reducing food waste in the U.S., co-led by nonprofits ReFED and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Hilton joins 19 other companies and organizations across the food system who have signed onto the Pact, which uses the “Target, Measure, Act” framework to reduce food waste in businesses’ operations.
According to ReFED, 31 percent of food produced in the United States goes uneaten or unsold, with the vast majority becoming waste that gets sent to destinations like landfills, incinerators, and sewer systems. The foodservice sector generated 12.7 million tons of surplus food in 2023, with hotels being the third-largest contributor to that tonnage. Food waste in the U.S. has a significant impact on the environment, generating 10 percent of the country’s methane emissions, and it’s valued at $382 billion annually—presenting a major opportunity for businesses to reduce costs by addressing waste within their operations.
“At Hilton, we believe in doing what is right and good. By reducing food waste, we continue to deliver exceptional guest experiences while also making a positive impact in the communities where we live, work, and stay,” said Jean Garris Hand, Vice President & Global Head, Sustainability, Hilton. “We are proud to be the first hospitality company to sign the U.S. Food Waste Pact, as we work to drive greater operational efficiencies that will allow us to deliver a more sustainable stay for all.”
A Part of Meet With Purpose
Hilton also has worked to find innovative solutions to food waste challenges around the world through its Green Breakfast and Green Ramadan programs across hotels in the Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, Zero Waste Menus in the United Kingdom and partnership with Winnow, an AI powered food waste tracking technology. Additionally, Hilton’s Meet With Purpose offerings incorporate sustainable menu items and food donation processes into meetings around the world.
“Having Hilton as a signatory is a big milestone for the U.S. Food Waste Pact,” said Dana Gunders, President of ReFED. “The hospitality sector is a place where we know a lot of waste is happening, so it’s exciting to welcome Hilton to our table of signatories and expand our ability to act on food waste in that sector.”
Hilton is the twentieth business to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact. Other current signatories include retailers Ahold Delhaize USA, ALDI US, Amazon Fresh, Raley’s, Walmart Inc., and Whole Foods Market; manufacturers Bob’s Red Mill, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company, and Lamb Weston, Inc.; coalition signatories Health Care Without Harm and R&DE Stanford Food Institute; foodservice signatories Aramark, Compass Group USA, ISS Guckenheimer, and Sodexo USA; and quick-service restaurants Chick-fil-A and Starbucks.
