Every year, more than 931 million tonnes of food are wasted globally, representing around 17% of total global food production. This waste generates unnecessary environmental impacts. According to the latest UNEP Food Waste Index Report, 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed. If we do not reverse this trend, the amount of wasted food is expected to rise by one-third by 2030. Fortunately, most of this waste is avoidable if consumers, businesses, farmers, and governments take serious action. These four tech companies offer innovative solutions to reduce this critical global issue.
1. Goodr
Goodr is an innovative US tech company with one simple mission: “Feed more, waste less.” The core principle of the Atlanta-based company is that surplus edible food should go to people in need, not landfills. This is why Goodr provides organizations with a ledger that tracks their organic waste and surplus products from pickup to donation, delivering real-time data on social and environmental impacts. By keeping an eye on their surplus food, companies are able to better manage future production and save money, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and help local communities in need by donating their edible surplus food.
2. Kitro
KITRO is a Swiss startup founded in 2017 by hospitality insiders. KITRO harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to collect and analyze food waste data and then offer concrete solutions to reduce food waste and recuperate losses. KITRO technology can be easily installed on top of food bins. Once installed, KITRO photographs and records every discarded food product and its weight. Through this data, KITRO’s software is able to identify where to save money. The company offers a subscription-based service to food and beverage outlets worldwide, with the option to buy or rent the device monthly.
3. Apeel
Apeel Science is a California-based company founded in 2012 with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The company creates extra peels to protect fresh produce from oxygen and to make them last twice as long, meaning that much less products are wasted! The extra protective layer is 100% natural as it’s made of materials that exist in the peels, seeds, and pulp of fruit and vegetables. It is also tasteless, odorless and invisible!
4. Full harvest
Full Harvest is a company that aims to change the food system for the better by finding a solution to consumers’ superficial preference for perfect-looking produce. Through its B2B marketplace, Full Harvest rescues surplus food and imperfect or ugly produce that do not meet retailers’ aesthetic standards. On one side, the Full Harvest marketplace enables farmers to sell imperfect oddly-shaped products that would otherwise be thrown away. On the other side, the marketplace connects the farmers with food & beverage companies that can save up to 30% compared to traditional distributors. A win-win for everybody, including the environment!
