Zero Waste Day: Global tourism leaders convene to launch 'Recipe of Change'
The initiative has already gained support from major global players
ATT Desk Report 
On International Day of Zero Waste, which is observed annually following a United Nations General Assembly resolution, global tourism leaders gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tackling food waste across the tourism sector.
According to the UN Tourism website, the "Recipe of Change" initiative, jointly launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Tourism, represents a major push to halve food waste in hotels, cruise lines, restaurants, and tourist destinations by 2030.
International Day of Zero Waste is celebrated annually on March 30th to promote sustainable consumption or production and raise awareness of waste management's role in tackling pollution. Established in 2023 by the UN, it encourages local, regional, and national initiatives to minimize waste. The 2026 theme focuses on reducing food waste to combat climate change.
Industry-wide commitment
The initiative has already gained support from major global players including Accor, Hilton, TUI Group, Club Med, Radisson Hotel Group, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Meliá Hotels International, Six Senses, and easyJet holidays, among others. Collectively, these businesses serve over 600 million guests annually and generate more than USD 56.5 billion in combined revenue, mobilizing the sector at scale to prevent food waste and accelerating the transition to sustainable food systems.
Urgent call for action
Speaking at the launch event, Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, highlighted the urgency of the issue: "2.3 billion people experience food insecurity every single day. With a third of the world's population failing to receive this basic human rights and food wastage contributing to 10% of global greenhouse gases, we must take decisive action”.
Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP's Industry and Economy Division, emphasised the unique position of tourism businesses to drive change: "Tourism businesses are in a unique position to redesign menus, encourage lasting behavioral change and deliver measurable reductions in food waste”.
Proven success and measurable goals
The initiative builds on successful pilots such as Hilton's "Green Ramadan" campaign in partnership with Winnow, which achieved food waste reductions of over 60% in early trials in 2023. The program has since expanded from three hotels to 64 properties in 2026, with additional reductions of 20-30%.
Through "Recipe of Change," participating stakeholders commit to measuring food waste across their operations and implementing operational and behavioral solutions in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal target 12.3, which calls for halving global food waste at the consumer level by 2030.
UNEP and UN Tourism are urging more businesses across the tourism sector to join the movement and help cut food waste in half by the end of the decade.
