18 million +

pounds, rescued annually

25%

of waste is diverted from the landfill

15%

of waste is recycled

Remaining committed to sustainability

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has a Sustainability Committee which meets monthly to discuss the organization’s ongoing efforts and work to meet its goals in waste reduction, energy use, internal policy, and other sustainability concerns. Through the committee’s work, the Food Bank has had several significant accomplishments.

In 2018 – 2019, the Food Bank participated in the Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge as a way to determine what the organization was doing well and how it can do more in the future. Through this challenge:

  • The Food Bank’s internal composting system came to life, reducing waste by 26 percent in one quarter.
  • The organization’s largest annual fundraiser, Empty Bowls became a zero-waste event.
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has switched from single-use plastics to compostable materials for internal and external event.
Sustainability committee members volunteering at the Frick Environmental Center to learn about their sustainable design practices and help maintain their gardens.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts

How Do Food Banks Affect Climate Change?

How Do Food Banks Affect Climate Change?

The work we do has an impact on the people we serve. It also has an impact on our environment, through methods like waste reduction.

READ MORE

Food Podcast: What happens to food that goes bad?

Food Podcast: What happens to food that goes bad?

Learn about our new partnership with Ecotone Renewables- one of our latest efforts to cut down on organic waste by using a new Seahorse Biodigester.

READ MORE

Converting waste to fertilizer to benefit families in need

We’ve diverted more than 6,000 lbs. of waste from the landfill by sending organic waste to Ecotone Renewable’s biodigester!

READ MORE

Lincoln Park Community Center’s Food Pantry Coordinator recieved a Sam’s Club donation of produce for their distribution.

Why Sustainability Matters to Us

Food banks exist at the intersection of social and environmental sustainability. Our responsibility is to ensure we manage our processes efficiently to keep food out of landfills and distribute wholesome food to the tables of our neighbors as fast as possible so that our organization has a positive impact on the environment and the people we serve for generations to come.

On average, we rescue 10.7 million pounds of food yearly that would have otherwise be destined for a landfill. This equates to taking 3,000 vehicles off the road annually by preventing greenhouse gas emissions. Any organic waste generated at the Food Bank is composted and turned into an environmental asset through our composting and biodigester service providers.

As the Food Bank continues to design new ways to reach our neighbors facing hunger, is commitment to sustainability remains.

As part of this commitment, the organizations, warehouse expansion in Duquesne, PA is being completed with LEED sustainable building practices in mind.


Learn more.

P: 412-460-3663
E: [email protected]