Donations to Charities Costco donates unsold bakery items to local charities and food banks, ensuring that leftover bread, cakes, and pastries help those in need instead of going to waste.
Discounts on Near-Expiry Items Before bakery items go unsold, Costco often marks them down, giving shoppers a chance to buy them at a lower price while reducing waste at the same time.
Used for Animal Feed Some unsold baked goods that are no longer fit for human consumption are repurposed as animal feed, ensuring that nothing goes completely to waste.
Repurposed into Other Foods Costco finds ways to use unsold bakery items creatively by repurposing bread into croutons or breadcrumbs, reducing waste while making new products.
Sent to Composting Facilities If items cannot be donated or repurposed, they are sent to composting facilities, where they break down naturally and contribute to sustainable waste management.
Employee Discounts and Perks Some unsold bakery items are given to Costco employees at discounted prices or even for free, ensuring that perfectly good food doesn’t go to waste.
Strict Waste Management Policies Costco follows strict policies to minimize food waste, constantly finding new ways to handle unsold bakery goods responsibly and sustainably.