How Brands From Bacardi To Salesforce Are Tackling Event Food Waste
August 28, 2019Stay in the know with exclusive industry news, click here and subscribe to our eNewsletter today!
Reducing food and beverage waste is the new way to “go green”
There’s a pressing topic that event marketers can no longer ignore: food waste. The USDA estimates that 30 to 40 percent of the country’s food supply ends up in landfills, while the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that food waste is responsible for roughly the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as 37 million cars–one in seven on the road today. Add to that the waste that’s often generated from the containers food and beverages are served in at events, and it’s clear the industry has some work to do.
Fortunately, some brands have been making a concerted effort to either reduce event waste or produce zero-waste events, meaning less than 10 percent of the total material generated by the event goes to the landfill. It’s a huge win for the environment, and frankly, for their respective businesses. A 2017 NRDC study reported a 14-fold ROI for companies implementing food waste reduction efforts or upcycling practices, and it’s no secret that today’s consumers are more likely to interact with brands that support a cause, particularly one related to the environment (thank you, millennials).