Smart Solutions in Food Waste Management Technology

Around 13.2 percent of food made in the world gets lost between harvest and retail. Does it make you think of food waste solutions? Surely, we do not think about it day to day, especially during the busiest work weeks. Should it bother large food producers or should they care more about food security in the world? It’s striking how we have data about hunger in some parts of the world and immense problems with food waste recycling in others. Food waste management technology exists but does not reach many places, and is not always prioritized by businesses and households.

Statista names food processing and manufacturing as one of the main sources of waste. It sounds like a serious punch. In the US, one out of three people will visit a fast food place every day, and here is another fact, fast food waste statistics does not look good. Just 14% of plastic packaging gets recycled, while single-use food and beverage containers are a major contributor to the 269,000 tons of plastic waste estimated to be floating in the oceans worldwide.

When did food waste start? Food waste in America traces its origins to the 1600s but became significantly more prevalent during the late 1800s and early 1900s with the advent of industrialization. Basically, our society has always been producing waste but we are not at a point when we’ve finally admitted the existence of this problem. So, what solutions for food waste exist? We will look into farming, retailers, and households to try and figure out the scope of the issue.

Food waste management technology

Multiple companies can provide businesses and households with the food waste management system, it does not have to be a specialized company. Implementing IoT, AI, and operational efficiency can decrease the amount of waste. But fortunately, we see a great tendency, many food waste startups become successful and offer lots of accessible options to people and businesses. We will provide a review of the top ones in the next sections.
Instead of focusing on companies tackling food waste, let’s look at the technological tools. We should highlight AI, since it is one of the most advanced instruments. The use of AI is actually not discovered fully, so, we encourage businesses to experiment.

“AI should be strategically applied to address specific use cases. Businesses must evaluate their needs, identify vulnerabilities, and pinpoint technological gaps to effectively leverage AI in solving targeted problems,” Yurii Kovalchuk, CEO at Qaltivate

IoT-based food waste management software 

IoT-based software is revolutionizing how food waste is tracked, monitored, and minimized across the supply chain, from production to consumption.
Key features of IoT-based food waste management software include:

1. Real-Time Monitoring. Sensors track temperature, humidity, and storage conditions to ensure food stays fresh during transportation and storage.
2. Predictive Analytics. By analyzing data, IoT systems can predict spoilage and recommend proactive measures to prevent waste.
3. Automated Alerts. Notifications warn users of impending expiration dates or compromised storage conditions, prompting timely action.
4. Waste Tracking. IoT devices measure and log food waste, providing actionable insights to help businesses identify waste patterns and inefficiencies.

Can a separate solution to food waste be built? Yes, surely. But businesses can also incorporate the features needed to tackle the problem into the existing software. IoT is probably one of the most accessible and well-tested technologies. It is already been used in many industries, like construction, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and more.

More innovative ideas for food waste include the combination of technologies, like IoT and AI, called AIoT. Want to learn more about it? We are always happy to discuss it with you, just drop us a line.

The use of RFID and NFC technology to reduce waste

Major supermarkets utilize food waste tracking systems powered by RFID technology to monitor fresh produce and ensure it reaches customers before spoilage, significantly reducing waste. Municipalities are adopting RFID-enabled smart bins as part of their food manufacturing trash systems, allowing them to track recycling efficiency and optimize collection schedules for improved waste management. Additionally, cold chain logistics companies are among the leading companies eliminating food waste by using RFID sensors to maintain and monitor optimal conditions for perishable goods during transportation, ensuring freshness and minimizing losses. These examples highlight how RFID technology is transforming waste management and promoting sustainability across industries.

Food waste tech	How it helps with food waste
Artificial Intelligence (AI)	1. Predicts demand to reduce overproduction and waste. 2. Detects spoilage early through image recognition and analytics.
Internet of Things (IoT)	1. Monitors storage conditions like temperature and humidity. 2. Enables real-time tracking of perishable goods.
Blockchain	1. Enhances traceability across the supply chain. 2. Facilitates quick identification of spoilage or contaminated batches.
Mobile Apps	1. Connects consumers to surplus food from restaurants or stores. 2. Links surplus food providers to charities for redistribution.
Robotics and Automation	1. Automates food sorting based on quality. 2. Ensures shelf-life prioritization in warehouses.
Advanced Packaging Technologies	1. Smart packaging with sensors monitors freshness. 2. Edible coatings extend shelf life of produce.
Biotechnologies	1. Preservatives and enzymes extend food longevity. 2. Converts food waste into biofuels, animal feed, or fertilizers.
Cold Chain Technology	1. Maintains optimal storage and transport conditions. 2. Uses cryogenic refrigeration to extend food preservation.
Data Analytics	1. Optimizes inventory management. 2. Provides demand forecasts to prevent overproduction.
RFID and NFC Technology	1. Tracks inventory in real-time to avoid spoilage. 2. Sends expiration alerts to retailers or consumers.
Waste Processing Technologies	1. Converts food waste into compost or biogas. 2. Uses anaerobic digesters for efficient waste processing.
Precision Agriculture Tools	1. Drones monitor crop health to optimize harvest. 2. Sensors guide precise farming practices to reduce waste.
3D Printing	1. Repurposes surplus food into new, edible products like snacks or meal components.

Restaurant food waste solutions

Restaurants face significant challenges when it comes to managing food waste, but innovative solutions are helping to address this pressing issue. With food waste accounting for a large portion of operational losses, implementing effective strategies is not just an environmental imperative but also a financial one.

Examples of Food Waste in Restaurants
Food waste in restaurants typically includes uneaten meals, spoiled inventory, and over-prepped ingredients. Common culprits include improper portion control, surplus preparation, and spoilage due to poor storage practices. These examples of food waste highlight the need for comprehensive management systems to minimize losses.

How to Track Food Waste in Restaurants
Tracking food waste is an essential step toward developing effective restaurant food waste solutions. Restaurants can use digital platforms, such as IoT-enabled tools and software, to monitor waste levels. RFID tags and smart sensors can track food inventory in real time, helping managers identify high-waste items and implement corrective measures. Staff training and waste audits also play a crucial role in understanding waste patterns and addressing inefficiencies.
Restaurant Food Waste Recycling
Recycling is a vital component of reducing food waste. Many restaurants are now adopting recycling programs, converting organic waste into compost or bioenergy. These programs can be enhanced through partnerships with local composting facilities or by using on-site food digesters that break down waste into reusable materials. Restaurant food waste recycling not only reduces landfill contributions but also aligns with sustainable business practices.
By leveraging advanced tools, streamlining inventory management, and adopting recycling initiatives, restaurants can significantly reduce waste while cutting costs and improving efficiency. These innovative restaurant food waste solutions demonstrate that tackling waste is both achievable and beneficial for the environment and the bottom line.
On one of the episodes of Digital Ag Global we had a great conversation with Matt Wampler from ClearCogs, where we discussed the most critical pain points of restaurant managers. Food waste is among the pressing problems needing solutions. So, here are some of the food waste management solutions for restaurants. This list is not exhaustive, and if you want to tell us about other solutions, drop a message here.

ClearCogs

ClearCOGS is a U.S.-based company specializing in AI-driven predictive forecasting systems tailored for the restaurant industry. The company aims to streamline restaurant operations by providing actionable insights that enhance efficiency and profitability.
Services ClearCogs provides:

Daily Prep Sheets. Restaurants receive daily recommendations detailing precise preparation quantities for each ingredient, reducing overproduction and waste.
Labor Scheduling. By analyzing unique operational trends, ClearCOGS assists in creating labor schedules that boost productivity and reduce costs.
Menu Forecasting. The platform offers predictive analytics to help manage inventory and meet customer demand effectively.
Seamless Integration. ClearCOGS integrates effortlessly with existing POS systems, such as Toast POS, ensuring real-time data synchronization without disrupting current operations.

Leanpath

Leanpath, established in 2004, is a pioneering company dedicated to waste management innovation in the foodservice industry. Their intelligent food waste prevention solutions integrate AI and culinary expertise to help commercial kitchens effectively get rid of waste by tracking, analyzing, and reducing food waste. By implementing Leanpath’s systems, clients have successfully achieved significant food waste reduction, cutting waste by up to 50% and enhancing kitchen efficiency.
Services Leanpath provides:
Food Waste Tracking Solutions. Leanpath provides a range of in-kitchen tracking devices, such as the Tracker 360 and Tracker Lite, equipped with AI-enabled cameras and integrated scales to monitor and record food waste in real-time.

Data Analytics and Reporting. Through their cloud-based platform, Leanpath Online, clients gain access to detailed analytics that identify waste patterns and trends, enabling informed decision-making to reduce waste.
Behavior Change Tools. Leanpath’s Impact Suite includes AI-driven features like Automated Goals and Food Waste Alerts, which provide customized recommendations and notifications to engage kitchen teams in proactive waste reduction efforts.

Culinary Training and Support: Their team of executive chefs and foodservice professionals offers on-site and virtual training, sharing best practices and strategies to empower kitchen staff in minimizing food waste.

Multi-Site Program Management: For organizations with multiple locations, Leanpath delivers enterprise reporting and analytics, allowing managers to oversee and direct food waste prevention efforts across their entire portfolio.

Food waste management technology for farms

Food waste on farms is a significant global issue, with substantial environmental and economic impacts. A 2021 report by WWF and Tesco estimates that approximately 1.2 billion tonnes of food are lost during harvest or slaughter operations annually, accounting for about 15.3% of global food production.
Addressing food waste on farms requires a combination of innovative approaches and practical solutions. Agri waste technology plays a vital role in reducing losses by providing farmers with tools to monitor, measure, and manage waste effectively. Technologies like precision agriculture systems, IoT-enabled storage sensors, and smart harvesting equipment can help minimize waste during critical stages of production and storage.
Implementing sustainable food waste management practices is equally essential. These include strategies like composting unused crops, creating bioenergy from organic materials, and integrating crop residue back into the soil to improve fertility. Such organic waste solutions not only help reduce environmental impact but also support circular farming systems that maximize resource efficiency.
Farmers can also adopt waste reduction solutions to streamline operations, such as optimizing harvesting schedules, improving cold chain logistics, and using predictive analytics to better align supply with market demand. By combining these approaches, farms can significantly lower waste levels, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system. These efforts are not just environmentally necessary but also economically beneficial, enabling farms to thrive while protecting the planet.

Apeel

Apeel develops groundbreaking solutions to minimize food waste by extending the shelf life of fresh produce. Their innovative approach uses a plant-based coating that slows down spoilage, reducing waste across the supply chain and in households. This innovation in waste management helps retailers and growers cut losses while providing fresher food to consumers. By incorporating their food waste tracker, Apeel empowers businesses to monitor the impact of their efforts on reducing food waste effectively.

Full Harvest

Full Harvest focuses on connecting food growers with buyers to sell surplus or “imperfect” produce, ensuring that no edible food goes to waste. Their platform uses technology to streamline supply chains, enabling growers and buyers to collaborate and minimize food waste at scale. Full Harvest is a leader in innovations in waste management, helping the agricultural industry adopt sustainable practices while reducing costs. With tools akin to a food waste tracker, they provide data-driven insights to optimize produce utilization.

Imperfect Foods

Imperfect Foods offers a subscription-based grocery service that delivers surplus or cosmetically imperfect food directly to customers. By rescuing produce and other food items that might otherwise be discarded, the company plays a vital role in minimizing food waste. Their model represents a significant step forward in innovations in waste management, making sustainable consumption more accessible. While not a traditional food waste tracker, their operations help consumers and businesses alike reduce their environmental footprint.

The importance of waste-less solutions

The growing issue of waste demands urgent attention from both households and businesses as forecasts reveal its alarming impact on the environment and resources. Over the past 40 years, a third of the Earth’s arable land has been lost due to soil degradation, erosion, and pollution, drastically reducing global food production capacity. This highlights the need for waste-less solutions that optimize resource use, preserve fertile land, and mitigate environmental damage. By adopting innovative practices and technologies, we can combat these challenges, ensuring a sustainable future while addressing the critical issue of food security.