An estimated 50 million pounds of food is thrown away each year by restaurants, businesses, and other food establishments in NYC.

Donate edible food and ask your favorite restaurant or food establishment to do the same. If they’re not already donating their unwanted edible food to local food banks, inform them of the opportunity.

Please note, non-perishable foods are usually able to be donated easily; perishable foods can’t always be donated, but if it’s fresh and you know of a shelter nearby, they may be willing to take it (large food donation organizations typically don’t take perishables from individuals). The donation may be tax-deductible.

See food donations for more information.

If you cannot donate surplus food, compost it, drop it off, or throw it away.

Food containers can often be recyclable as either metal, glass, plastic, & cartons or paper & cardboard. To learn more, find out what's recyclable in NYC.

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