Denali Recycles 14 Billion Pounds of Organic Materials, Including 1.7 Billion Pounds of Food Waste in a Single Year

Third annual sustainability report reveals the company’s role in creating a circular economy

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Denali, the nation’s leading recycler of organics, today revealed it recycled 14 billion pounds of organic wastes and byproducts according to its newly released third annual sustainability report that details findings from 2023. This achievement positions Denali as the largest business of its kind in the US. The report also highlights the significant impact its services have had on food waste diversion, further enforcing the company’s crucial role in advancing the circular economy. Notably, in the following year, Denali recycled 1.7 billion pounds of food waste by converting it into animal feed and compost. According to US EPA calculations, this is equivalent to approximately 780,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) avoided, which is the same as the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 185,641 gasoline-powered vehicles driven for one year.

Food waste is one of many organic waste streams that Denali converts into valuable products as part of its mission to provide the best recycling solutions for a healthier planet. Denali collects food waste from thousands of grocery stores - including Whole Foods Market and Albertson’s - and various food manufacturers, distribution centers, hotels, stadiums, universities, and cafeterias across 48 states and Puerto Rico.

“Denali’s mission is to replenish the earth by repurposing waste,” said Denali CEO Todd Mathes. “Over the last several years we have invested in our business to deliver on this mission for our partners, the planet and society. Today, our dedicated team is driving the circular economy, by meaningfully reducing food waste and providing best-in-class solutions to our customers. Our 2023 sustainability reporting highlights our continued growth in impact as we help keep food waste and organics out of landfills.”

According to ReFED, the US generated about 89 million tons of surplus food in 2022. Second to homes, consumer-facing businesses generate the largest amount of surplus food at 18 million tons, or 20.2%, and retailers contribute five million tons of this total. Of the food waste generated by retail, 51% went to landfills and 39.5% went to compost or anaerobic digestion. With a mission to unlock the value of unused organic materials and significantly reduce food waste in the US, Denali’s approach has the potential to greatly increase food recycling and support the nation’s commitment to cut food loss and waste by 50% by 2030.

About Denali

Denali is the leading and largest organic recycling company on a mission to replenish the Earth by repurposing waste. Our work is essential to keeping water clean, reducing the need for new landfill capacity, building soil fertility, helping farmers be more resilient, and reducing society’s reliance on fossil fuels. Our services and products touch thousands of acres, hundreds of locales, millions of tons of material, and nearly every person who purchases and consumes food in the US.