Promoter Organisation: Too Good To Go B.V.
Country: Netherlands
What:
Too Good To Go is a Dutch initiative that tackles food waste by connecting consumers with surplus food from local businesses. The project operates through a mobile app, providing a platform for food establishments to sell excess or unsold food at discounted prices before it goes to waste.
How:
Mobile App Platform:
Too Good To Go operates through a user-friendly mobile app. Local businesses, including restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets, list their surplus food on the app, specifying the type of food package available and the discounted price.
Consumer Engagement:
Consumers use the app to browse and purchase surplus food packages from nearby establishments. This not only provides them with an opportunity to enjoy quality food at a lower cost but also actively contributes to reducing food waste.
Business Partnerships:
Too Good To Go collaborates with a wide range of businesses, fostering partnerships with local bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. This encourages businesses to adopt a more sustainable approach by minimizing food waste and connecting with environmentally conscious consumers.
Educational Features:
The app includes educational features, such as information about the environmental impact of food waste and tips on reducing personal food waste. This helps raise awareness and empowers users to make more informed choices.
Impact Measurement:
Too Good To Go tracks and measures the impact of its users in terms of the amount of food saved and the associated carbon footprint reduction. This transparent reporting encourages a sense of accomplishment among users and motivates them to continue participating.
When:
Too Good To Go was launched in the Netherlands in 2018 and has since been an ongoing initiative, adapting and expanding to address the persistent issue of food waste in the country.
Why It’s Relevant:
Consumer Empowerment:
Too Good To Go empowers consumers to make a positive impact by providing a convenient platform to rescue surplus food. It aligns with the growing interest in sustainable and ethical consumerism.
Business Sustainability:
The project promotes the sustainability of local businesses by helping them reduce food waste. Participating establishments not only save money by selling surplus food but also build a positive reputation for being socially and environmentally responsible.
Global Sustainable Development Goals:
Too Good To Go contributes directly to global sustainability goals, particularly Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, by actively promoting responsible and efficient use of resources, in this case, food.
Target Group:
Too Good To Go’s target groups include:
Consumers:
The app appeals to individuals who are conscious about food waste and are looking for an easy and affordable way to contribute to reducing it. It caters to a broad audience interested in sustainable living.
Local Businesses:
Too Good To Go partners with local businesses across the food industry spectrum, encouraging them to join the fight against food waste. This includes restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and more.
Educational Institutions:
The app’s educational features target users of all ages, providing information and resources to promote awareness about the environmental impact of food waste.
Results of the Good Practice:
Food Waste Reduction:
Too Good To Go has made a substantial impact on reducing food waste by connecting businesses with consumers, resulting in the rescue of surplus food that would otherwise go unsold and discarded.
Community Engagement:
The app’s user base actively engages in rescuing food, creating a community of individuals committed to reducing food waste. The social aspect of the platform contributes to building a sense of collective responsibility.
Business Participation:
Too Good To Go’s success is evident in the widespread participation of local businesses. Many establishments have embraced the platform, recognizing the economic and environmental benefits of selling surplus food rather than wasting it.
Carbon Footprint Reduction:
The app’s impact measurement features allow users to see the tangible results of their actions, including the reduction of carbon footprint associated with rescued food. This transparency enhances the sense of accountability and achievement among users.