[Chicago, IL, April 30, 2025] —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% 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% 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.”
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.
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About the U.S. Food Waste Pact
The U.S. Food Waste Pact is a national voluntary agreement that uses the “Target, Measure, Act” framework to reduce food waste across the supply chain. The Pact works with waste-generating food businesses to collect and analyze data about food waste in their operations, share best practices through precompetitive working groups, and pilot and scale solutions through intervention projects. The Pact is an initiative between nonprofits ReFED and the World Wildlife Fund. For more information about the U.S. Food Waste Pact, visit http://usfoodwastepact.org/.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,600 properties and nearly 1.3 million rooms, in 139 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 218 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Nia D’Emilio, ReFED
Susan McCarthy, WWF