7 Best Food Waste Apps to Cut Waste and Save Money

Food waste is a serious problem. We all have the best intentions to cut back the amount of food we throw out, but we may not necessarily know how to do it. Luckily, there are plenty of food waste apps available in the UK to help tackle this issue. Let technology be your friend, whether you’re tech savvy or not.

Let’s explore the best food waste apps to reduce waste, save the planet, and enjoy yummy and affordable food!   

#1: Too Good To Go

A must-have food waste app, Too Good To Go provides a platform for stores to sell their surplus produce at reduced prices. All you need to do is purchase a 'magic box' and pick it up within the designated time slot. This food waste app is one of the most widely available in the UK, with eateries signed up in towns and cities all across the country. But that's not all! This app has also expanded its reach to 12 European countries since its launch in 2016. In fact, it has already rescued a whopping 1 million meals from the bin. Impressive!

#2: Karma

Another app like Too Good To Go, Karma has an impressive track record of rescuing over 4 million meals, which translates to a staggering 1,800 tonnes of CO2 saved. Born as a startup in Sweden back in 2016, this platform has grown to amass a whopping 1 million users, including none other than Barack Obama himself, who's a big fan. Similar to the Too Good To Go app, Karma lets you swoop in and save food from restaurants, cafes, and bakeries with just a simple tap on your phone. Rather than a mishmash of leftovers, food on Karma is sold as discounted individual meals, ensuring you know precisely what you're getting.

#3: Refill London

Ok, so it's not technically a food waste app. But we thought this clever app was worth a mention, as it allows you to locate water refill stations around the UK. With over 5,000 refill stations, including public fountains and participating coffee shops, this app will stop you from buying bottled water in single use plastic bottles; it’s good for your budget and good for the planet. Of course, you can always ask any coffee shop to refill you bottle, but this makes the asking a little less awkward (we are British, after all).

#4: Olio

Originating in the UK, the Olio app is a global leader in the fight against food waste. How does Olio work? This clever app connects neighbours and local stores, enabling the sharing of excess produce instead of disposing of it. It goes beyond food and allows sharing of other items like garden tools and kitchen appliances, fostering local trading and minimizing waste.

#5: NoWaste

Forget about rescuing restaurant leftovers, the NoWaste app dives right into the heart of the matter: your own kitchen. The app lets you create lists for your freezer, fridge, and cupboard, creating a food inventory in your back pocket in just a few taps. You can keep track of your purchases, expiry dates, and know what's hiding in your fridge. No more wasted money on unnecessary purchases when you can see exactly what you have left. It's time to take control and save some serious dough with NoWaste!

#6: Kitche

Kitche is a brilliant way to reduce food waste. The app addresses the challenge that so many of us face on a daily basis, creating a meal from the ingredients you already have in your kitchen cupboard. By inputting the products you have in your kitchen cupboard, the food waste app suggests a selection of dishes you can cook using those ingredients. It eliminates the need for unnecessary grocery store trips and helps stretch your budget.

#7: ShareWaste

ShareWaste is a great food waste app that will give your discarded kitchen scraps a second chance. It solves a big problem for people who have no indoor space to compost  - by connecting them to people in their neighbourhood who have set up home composting in their garden, and need the extra food scraps. It's a great way to divert waste from landfills while getting to know like-minded people around you. Plus, they're entirely driven by volunteers!

We're lucky to have these amazing food waste apps available in the UK, so make sure to download them and incorporate them into your daily routine! By using these apps regularly, not only will you make a difference in reducing food waste, but you'll also save some serious cash along the way!

Have you downloaded any of these apps? Know of any other great food waste apps? Share in the comments below!