Starbucks is joining Walmart, Sodexo, and other companies in the U.S. Food Waste Pact to reduce food waste. As the largest quick-service restaurant (QSR) to join the pact, Starbucks brings over 15,000 U.S. stores to the initiative.
The U.S. Food Waste Pact is a voluntary agreement focused on using collaboration and data sharing to reduce waste in the U.S. food system. The pact is run by ReFED, a food waste non-profit, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Chick-fil-A is another QSR that is part of the pact. Other members include Ahold Delhaize USA, Aldi U.S., Amazon Fresh, Aramark, Bob’s Red Mill, Compass Group USA, Health Care Without Harm, ISS Guckenheimer, Lamb Weston, R&DE Stanford Food Institute, Raley’s and Whole Foods Market.
According to ReFED, over a third of all food in the U.S. goes unsold or uneaten. This represents a $250 billion opportunity for food businesses. Food waste is also a major climate issue, accounting for an estimated 6% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Landfilled food waste emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Additionally, food waste consumes over a fifth of the nation’s freshwater supply. A 2023 EPA report found that food waste in American landfills produced about 55 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent methane in 2020.
Related topics:
- Wendy’s Launches New Thin Mint Frosty in Collaboration with Girl Scouts
- Dunkin’s Spring 2025 Menu Leaks Online
- Freddy’s Opens Second Central Ohio Location in Hilliard