Carnival Corporation's 'Less Left Over' Strategy Beats Targets, Delivers Significant Food Waste Reduction Progress

Core Insights - Carnival Corporation achieved a 44% reduction in unit food waste in 2024 compared to 2019, surpassing its 2025 target of 40% a year early, and is on track for a 50% reduction by 2030 [1][2][3] - The company has avoided over $250 million in food costs since 2019 through its "Less Left Over" food management strategy, which enhances dining experiences while minimizing waste [2][3] Food Management Strategy - The "Less Left Over" strategy includes various programs and technologies aimed at reducing food waste by 50% by 2030, fostering a culture of creativity among its 160,000 employees [3][4] - The company employs a circular economy approach to repurpose food scraps into new products, such as vegan soap from coffee grounds and biofuel from used cooking oil [4][5] Technological Innovations - Carnival Corporation utilizes over 630 biodigesters fleetwide to liquefy uneaten food, significantly reducing its volume [6][7] - The company has installed over 90 dehydrators to remove excess water from food waste, shrinking the remaining volume by approximately 90% for potential use as organic mulch or compost [7] Sustainability Initiatives - The food management strategy is part of a broader waste management and circular economy initiative, focusing on efficient resource management and sustainability [8] - Carnival Corporation's efforts aim to reduce environmental impact while providing sustainable financial results for stakeholders [8]