Apps that tackle food waste in Switzerland

Food waste is a rising problem in Switzerland. According to ETH Zurich, 300 kilograms of edible food per person is thrown away each year in the country. Thankfully, many people are trying to solve the issue. 

The Swiss government has implemented a plan to halve all food waste in the near future after rising rates of waste across the country started to cause concern. Aside from this, there are also steps that we, as individuals can take to stop food being wasted too. 

Here are some great apps to get you started!

Olio

Olio connects users with neighbours and local shops trying to get rid of leftover food, to help eliminate food waste. Once users have downloaded the app, they can take a photo of any unwanted food item, add a description and where and when the item is available and presto! Instant food sharing. App users can easily browse through the listings available in their area, put out a food request and arrange a pick-up through private messaging.

The UK-based startup also works with local businesses to help tackle food waste. Volunteers visit local stores every day to collect unwanted or surplus food and non-food items. They then photograph the items and list them on the app, offering their homes as local collection points.

With over 1 million users in 32 countries, it's safe to say that Olio is paving the way for a food revolution. Olio is available in all major Swiss cities as well as smaller towns.

Too Good To Go

Initially launched in 2016 in Copenhagen, Too Good To Go encourages consumers across the globe to save good food and fight food waste at the same time. The app connects cafes, supermarkets, hotels and more with consumers looking to purchase unwanted or leftover food. Customers can search through a selection of participating retailers and traders in their neighbourhood and buy a “Magic Bag”.

Each bag is filled with edible food that would normally have been thrown away. You never know what you may get in your “Magic Bag”, so beware if you have any severe allergies! Once you have purchased a bag from your retailer of choice, they will offer you a timeframe of when your bag will be ready to be picked up – making saving surplus food a breeze.

Supercook

While this app isn’t necessarily about preventing food waste per se, it can certainly help when you have some products that are about to reach their “use by” date. Supercook gives you the opportunity to search for delicious recipes using the items left in your fridge or cupboard. Simply list the ingredients you’re trying to use up, and see exactly what your options are!

The app has thousands of recipes, which you can save if you find something you like. Thanks to the simple search function, you can also filter by dietary requirements, for example, if you are vegetarian or vegan, or if you have allergies to certain foods. You can even specify the type of meals you want to make with your chosen ingredients - such as soups, rice dishes or casseroles.