Disney World Tackles Food Waste with Zero-Waste Model
The Walt Disney World in Florida is known for its magical theme parks and resorts. However, behind the scenes of this entertainment empire lies a complex operation to minimize food waste and contribute to America's fight against food insecurity.
With over 400 dining options serving nearly 50 million visitors every year, one might assume that a significant amount of food would end up in landfills. But Disney has implemented a zero-waste model to reduce its carbon footprint.
The company's goal is to hit zero waste to landfill by 2030, and it has made significant progress so far. In 2021, Disney World donated 550,000 pounds of excess prepared food via the Disney Harvest program, which collects food from over 400 locations and distributes it through nine Central Florida-based nonprofits.
In addition to distributing excess food, Disney also composts food waste on-site using an off-site commercial facility. This nutrient-rich material is used as fertilizer on farms within the Walt Disney World property and outside of it.