Food waste is a growing issue that has significant environmental, social, and economic impacts. According to the UN, nearly a third of all food produced worldwide is wasted—amounting to 1.3 billion tonnes annually. This not only wastes valuable resources like water and energy but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when food decomposes in landfills. However, thanks to technology, there are now innovative ways to combat this issue directly from your smartphone. Food waste reduction apps are helping consumers reduce their environmental impact while also saving money and making it easier to live sustainably.

How can apps reduce food waste?

There are numerous apps these days that all aim to reduce food waste one way or another. For example, there are apps that connect consumers with surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants and cafes that would otherwise go to waste. The surplus food is either offered at a discounted rate or are given out for free depending on the app. Often times, these apps will have societal benefits too, ensuring that leftover food is given to those in need. Other types of apps also exist, for example those that track your food inventory or help you make meals based on what’s already in your fridge.

Food waste reduction apps in Europe

Here are a few apps that are making a difference in Europe:

 

Apps that reduce leftovers from companies

The apps below connect consumers with restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and/or bakeries that have unsold food at the end of the day. Users can purchase the leftover food for a fraction of the price or for free, depending on the app. The food is all perfectly edible but would otherwise be discarded.

 

1. Too Good To Go

• Available in: Over 15 European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
• Price: Users can purchase a “magic bag” containing leftover food at a fraction of the price it’s normally sold at (depends on the place, but normally more than 50% off)

2. Karma

• Available in: Sweden and the UK.
• Price: Users can buy surplus food at a discounted price.

3. Phenix

• Available in: France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium (with expansion plans in other European countries)
• Price: surplus food is sold at a significant discount. In addition to helping individual consumers, Phenix also partners with organizations and charities to distribute food to those in need.

4. FoodCloud

• Available in: Ireland, the UK.
• Price: FoodCloud connects businesses with surplus food to charities and community groups in need. Charities collecting food don’t get charged unless it’s from a FoodClub Hub (see website for details)

5. ResQ Club

• Available in: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, and expanding across Europe.
• Price: users can pick up food for a lower price

 

 

Apps for foodsharing among consumers

The free apps below connect communities and can be used to share food within the community:

1. OLIO

• Available in: The UK, Ireland, and many European countries.
• Price: OLIO is generally free, but for some goods (OLIO is also for non-food items) users can charge a small fee. Depending on the country, food can be picked up from supermarkets and get distributed by OLIO ambassadors that are active on the app

2. Food sharing

• Available in: Europe
• Price: Food sharing is free, anyone can upload food items and pick them up

Apps for tracking your fridge content

The apps below will help you stay organised with the food left in your fridge. Track what goes in, check what’s still left, and avoid food going off! Some of these apps also include features to plan recipes with your leftovers. No more excuses to waste food!

1. Fridge Manager: manage your fridge and get notified when items are soon expiring
2. No Waste: manage your food using an AI assistant, and track your food waste
3. Fridge pal: track your food, search for recipes, and scan an item in the supermarket to know how much is left of it at home
4. Epicurious: get recipes based on leftover food items
5. Fresh box: virtual fridge by taking pictures of your items including its expiration date

 

The Bigger Picture

By using these apps, consumers not only save money but also play an active role in reducing the environmental footprint of food production and waste. Additionally, many of these platforms provide educational resources, raising awareness about the environmental cost of food waste and encouraging more sustainable consumption habits.

However, the success of food waste apps depends on widespread adoption. The more people use them, the more effective they become in reducing food waste on a larger scale. So, next time you’re about to toss out that slightly wilted spinach or leftover bread, consider checking out one of these apps. You could save a meal—and the planet!

 

Final Thoughts

Sustainable food waste reduction apps are an innovative and accessible solution to a problem that affects us all. By making it easier to buy, share, and plan meals sustainably, these apps are transforming the way we approach food. Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce your environmental impact, or simply ensure that food doesn’t go to waste, these apps are a step in the right direction for a more sustainable future. But even if these apps are not for you, remember you don’t need an app to share food. Together with colleagues, friends or neighbours, you can build a food sharing community to reduce food waste. From shared fridges to exchange of meals, every step helps. Only together can we make a difference!

 

All images used in this blog post come from the respective company’s website or Freepik.