Reducing Food Waste in London

Too Good To Go is an app that’s dedicated to reducing food waste around the UK since food waste is currently responsible for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the thought that 1.9 million tonnes of food waste is wasted each year while there’s 8.4 million people in the UK struggling to eat according to Fare Share. Most supermarkets are under scrutiny at the moment for throwing away food that doesn’t look visually appealing - a small bruise here and there leads to food that’s perfectly edible going to waste. Supermarkets across the UK have taken the initiative to create boxes with food that’s deemed undesirable - Morrisons have created a “wonky veg box” which has been received with incredible feedback and support. 

The idea originated in Denmark in 2016 but with a huge wave of popularity it soon reached 9 other European countries - all with wide success and popularity. As soon as Too Good To Go came to the UK it was immediately seen as a win-win situation where companies wouldn’t lose money for food that would otherwise go to waste and customers would be able to buy food at a hugely discounted price. The discounts aren’t one to miss with users of Too Good To Go being able to save as much as £10 per purchase made through the app. For example, Arro Coffee in Paddington is offering a “Magic Bag” of products which include authentic Italian food for £3.99 instead of £12. Too Good To Go has allowed over a million people in the UK to do their bit against food waste with over 2000 partner stores across the country according to their figures. 

Too Good To Go simply offers users a “Magic Bag” - the reason being that what you get inside it will be a surprise. However, you will get a small idea as to what cuisine you will be getting as well as what food will be included. For example, PAUL in Brompton Road state that their Magic Bag will allow customers to “Take home a taste of Paris from Paul. Rescue goodies like gourmet baguettes, filled croissants, mouth watering patisserie and sweet tarts - it’s all Too Good To Go". If you have any allergies or need to know information regarding what goes into these Magic Bags then there is the option to ask the store as to what your Magic Bag would contain. The only reason that Too Good To Go cannot disclose what ingredients go into the food is that it’s simply a surprise. Not only does Too Good To Go reduce food waste but it also reduces the energy and resources that would’ve gone to waste if the food simply went to waste. 

The app is simple to navigate with customers being able to clearly see what’s being offered in a specific location around them or in other areas of the UK. All throughout the day partners of the Too Good To Go app put up food that would otherwise go to waste in the hopes that people will buy it and rescue it. There’s only a limited quantity of items per place, which means customers should be quick if they want something at an incredible discount. Additionally, there’s a specific pick up time as to when customers can collect their Magic Bags which depends on when the store may be closing or when their surplus food runs out. Customers can grab breakfast from hotels such as Novotel and Ibis Styles as well as being able to grab sweet treats at Lola’s Cupcakes and Urban Baristas. 

As someone who's worked in a supermarket, I’ve seen first hand the amount of food thrown to waste simply because it’s not aesthetically pleasing enough or simply because it’s out of date. Even though supermarkets are one of the biggest guilty parties regarding food waste as The Independent stated that “More than 1bn of food wasted before reaching supermarkets” which is edible food which could have otherwise been sold in supermarkets. The reasons for food waste vary from food turning bad before even reaching the supermarkets but the main reason being that it doesn’t meet specific standards. Regardless, Too Good To Go has made such an impact that it’s no doubt that other companies and hopefully bigger chains will follow suit soon.
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