Ocado are extremely proud to be at 0.038% food waste across our operation. One in 2,600 products are not redistributed, but even these are anaerobically digested into energy.
We’re working hard to support our customers to minimise their food waste, including changes to our product quantities, labelling and sharing tips on our blog.
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (a charity, which operates as WRAP) has helped entire supply chains produce less food waste. This diagram from WRAP, demonstrates how interlinked food waste challenges are.
We’re also keen to help you, our suppliers, to reduce food waste. We have a toolkit that can help you understand how to do better and meet your own food waste targets.
As a starting point, below are two useful contacts we have to help you manage your food waste.
Helpful Contacts
Company Shop Group
Company Shop is the largest redistributor of surplus food and non-food products (household, homeware, clothing etc.) They work with retailers, manufacturers and brands to redistribute surplus stock that may otherwise go to waste,–in 2019 they redistributed more than 75 million items.. The Group champions a compelling profit-with-purpose model, delivering transformative economic, social and environmental benefits for the industry and across society more widely.
The Group operates an award-winning social enterprise, Community Shop, which ensures that surplus food and essential products are accessible to those in the lowest income communities. The stock on the shelves is predominantly donated from the industry, and helps to power five social supermarkets’ community hubs and kitchens, which provide life-changing personal development training, as well as high-quality, low cost food and products.
To speak to the Company Shop team about sustainable surplus solutions, call 0800 211 84 84 or email surplus@companyshopgroup.co.uk
Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go is the easy way to sell your surplus, unsold products. It’s a free app, with more than 3 million UK users. By partnering with Too Good To Go, you can offset the costs of surplus products, reduce waste, and introduce your brand to new customers.
The concept is simple. Update the app to show how much food you have to sell. Customers then search the app for local businesses with food available, purchase the food via the app, and collect it at a time that’s suitable for you.. You’ll fill a ‘Magic Bag’ with surplus products and set a reduced price that’s fair for you and the customer.
“The app’s concept is simple. We offered trays of products on the app for a limited window of time. Buyers could purchase them and pick up the goods from Unilever’s office, using their own bags and boxes. It means we can offset the cost of obsolete stock, and it fits in with our mission to reduce food waste.” – Axel Driegelinck, Unilever
Visit: toogoodtogo.co.uk/ocado to get involved.
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Ocado Retail Limited, registered in England and Wales with company number 03875000.
Registered office: Apollo Court, 2 Bishop Square, Hatfield, AL10 9NE.