Denali, a large recycler of food and organics, reports that grocery stores transitioning from manual food separation to its depackaging technology increased the volume of food diverted from landfill disposal to recycling by an average of 70%, according to the company’s 2025 Sustainability Report. The finding is based on data from more than 3,300 U.S. stores.
The depack program findings are one example of Denali’s broader work to recover inedible food and organic materials and return them to productive use. Across its operations, Denali managed 14.8 billion pounds of organic materials in 2025, including 1.35 billion pounds of uneaten food. The report also highlights Denali’s work enhancing nutrient recovery, resilient agriculture and biodiesel production.
“Businesses need a practical and cost-effective way to keep unused food out of landfills and know with confidence what happens after it’s collected,” said Denali CEO Todd Mathes. “Our nationwide direct service capabilities, owned recycling operations and diverse partner network maximize landfill diversion and deliver value to our customers. The 2025 Sustainability Report results reinforce our focus on making food recycling a dependable part of everyday operations, with less manual work for employees and data that helps customers track their progress and improve managing inventory.”
Denali pairs commercial food and organics collection with recycling services for grocers, restaurants, food manufacturers and processors, municipalities, convention centers, and other food-related businesses. Food recycling complements food waste prevention and donation efforts by creating renewable products from food that can no longer be consumed.
The depack program expands these opportunities by mechanically separating unsellable food from its packaging, reducing the need for manual labor and making food diversion more practical at scale.