ALEXANDRIA, VA. — The North American Renderers Association (NARA) announced that the third annual National Rendering Day was observed April 21, 2025. During the inaugural National Rendering Day in 2023, NARA and National Day Calendar issued a proclamation recognizing rendering with this important national day.

National Rendering Day is intended to bring awareness to the act of reducing and eliminating food waste through rendering. On National Rendering Day, NARA urges the larger community to learn more about what rendering means, how the rendering process works and why using rendered products is a sustainable choice for consumers.

April 21 was specifically chosen for the rendering celebration to fall on the day before Earth Day (April 22) in order to highlight the sustainable nature of the rendering industry and its contributions to food waste reduction and environmental protection, according to NARA. 

“We are honored to celebrate the third annual National Rendering Day by recognizing all those in the rendering industry and the important work they do for environmental sustainability and food waste and loss prevention,” said Kent Swisher, president and chief executive officer of NARA. “Rendering upcycles material that would otherwise be wasted and is the purest example of the circular economy. The observance of National Rendering Day this past Sunday and every April 21st is a great way to educate the public on the positive environmental impacts of rendering and why rendering is such a critical part of food waste and loss prevention.”

According to a recent report, more than 4 million tons of rendered and upcycled ingredients were used in the pet food industry, demonstrating the significant role rendering plays throughout the industry.

Read more news from associations and agencies in the pet food sector.