In recent years, waste of food It has become a major problem affecting not only households but also businesses, restaurants, and retail chains. Globally and nationally, millions of tons of food end up in the trash every year, even when it's perfectly good for consumption. All of this represents a significant economic, social and environmental impact difficult to justify, especially considering the amount of resources needed to produce those foods and the associated CO₂ emissions.
Fortunately, technology has put countless innovative solutions at our fingertips. Android apps to avoid throwing away food are revolutionizing the way we manage our purchases, consume products at home, and help businesses dispose of surpluses. More and more users and companies are joining these initiatives, demonstrating that with small everyday actions it is possible to mark a big difference.
Why is it so important to stop food waste?
El food waste Not only does it affect our pockets, but it also has very serious environmental consequences. Producing food to end up throwing it away means wasting natural resources, energy and money on products that will never be used.Furthermore, when these remains end up in landfills, they generate greenhouse gases such as methane, exacerbating climate change and global warming.
According to recent studies, in Spain alone more than 7 million tons of food waste, placing us among the European countries that throw away the most food. The worrying thing is that around 65% of this waste occurs in the homes themselves, while industry and catering generate the rest.
Digital solutions to save food: Essential Android apps
In response to this situation, various mobile apps have emerged that help reduce food waste from different perspectives: preventing impulse purchases, facilitating the sale of surplus food, or encouraging exchanges between individuals. Below, we review the most notable apps and how they work.
Too Good To Go: The pioneer in saving food at irresistible prices
Undoubtedly, Too Good To Go has established itself as one of the most popular tools for keeping leftover food out of the trash. This app connects consumers with a wide variety of local businesses, such as restaurants, supermarkets, and bakeries, that have surplus food every day.
The dynamic is as simple as it is effective: Establishments publish "surprise packs" with the day's unsold products., offering them at very low prices (between 2 and 5 euros in most cases). Users simply reserve their meal, pay through the app, and pick it up at the indicated time. It's common to find delicious dishes of all kinds and quality, from sushi to pastries to fresh produce. Thanks to Too Good To Go, businesses recover part of their investment and consumers access quality food for very little money, while actively collaborate in the fight against waste.
The impact of Too Good To Go goes far beyond savingsAccording to data published by the company itself, each package rescued is equivalent to avoiding 2,7 kg of CO₂ emissions, making it a key tool in the fight against climate change. More than five million users are already using this app, which operates in many European countries and continues to grow.
Phenix: Personalized baskets and rewards for the most committed
Another application that is captivating more and more users is PhoenixBorn in France, this app offers a very similar approach to the previous one: here you can Buy anti-waste baskets prepared by businesses in your area, which include bakeries, supermarkets, prepared food stores and more.
One of the great advantages of Phenix is that it allows Filter offers based on your food preferences and schedule, better adapting to each person's needs. Users can choose the type of basket based on their habits or restrictions (vegetarian, ready-to-cook, etc.), receive personalized notifications when new batches are available, and easily pick up their order at the establishment.
Furthermore, Phenix has a loyalty points system which rewards the most active users, encouraging involvement and commitment in the fight against waste. The app is already available in major Spanish cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Seville) and continues to expand.
Other apps for sharing and rescuing food
The app ecosystem doesn't end there. There are proposals that integrate collaboration between neighbors, recipes for leftovers, and direct sales by local producers. Let's look at some of the most relevant:
- OilAn interesting platform for exchanging and sharing food or household items with your neighbors. Sharing through Olio is always free; all you need to do is take a photo, write a short description, and arrange for individual pickup. This is a way to create support networks, prevent food waste, and promote the circular economy.
- I do not waste: Promoted by the NGO Prosalus, this app promotes awareness about the right to food and wasteIt allows both individuals and businesses to advertise their surplus products for nearby users to collect, all within a philosophy of solidarity and maximum resource utilization.
- Best before: Ideal for those who want control the expiration dates of your pantryThis app lets you create shopping lists, organize products by expiration date, and receive alerts when a food item is about to expire. You can sync this data with family and friends, making it easier to manage your purchases and preventing food from spoiling due to forgetfulness.
- ekilu (formerly Nooddle): In addition to reducing waste, helps you plan recipes based on the foods you already have at home, offering more than 2.000 ideas and an ingredient search engine. This way, you'll be able to use everything you have in your fridge and be encouraged to experiment with new culinary ideas.
The hive says yes: buy directly from producers and support local commerce
In the area of responsible purchasing and support for small producers, The hive says yes is one of the most notable initiatives. This platform creates communities of consumers who buy directly from farmers and processors of its geographical environment, guaranteeing fresh, local and quality products.
The system is very flexible: you can purchase only what you need, with no minimum orders or mandatory frequency. promotes responsible consumption and reduces waste derived from impulse purchases in large stores. Plus, you'll be supporting the professionals who grow and produce food in your area, contributing to local development and more sustainable food systems.
Encantado de Comerte: the Spanish alternative to take advantage of surpluses and help vulnerable groups
Following in the footsteps of Too Good To Go, Delighted to eat you It is positioned as the "made in Spain" option to buy the food lots that stores have not been able to sell, always at Very low prices and with minimum discounts of 50%It's a perfect solution for consumers who want to save money and eat well, for businesses that optimize resources, and for the planet.
A particularity of Enchanted to Eat You is that allows you to filter by type of establishment and dish, making it easier to choose according to your preferences. Additionally, through agreements with NGOs and social institutions, it provides free food parcels to people in vulnerable situations, showing solidarity with those most in need.
It's currently available in Madrid, Zaragoza, Logroño, and Santiago de Compostela, but its goal is to expand throughout Spain.
Komefy: daily discounts on all types of food stores
For those looking to save on their daily shopping without sacrificing quality, Komefy allows you to find nearby supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries or fruit shops that at the end of the day They offer their usual products with 50% discountsThis Spanish startup facilitates quick and convenient pickup, giving unsellable food a second life instead of ending up thrown away.
Apps for restaurants and the professional gastronomy sector
El food waste It particularly affects the catering sector, where large quantities of food end up being thrown away. Excessive portions, unforeseen changes in demand, or inefficient preparations. Here mobile applications have also been a before and after, allowing restaurants to place their surpluses on the market or even transform products at risk of being lost.
Tools like ResQ Club y Karma (the latter being very popular in Northern Europe) allow restaurants and cafes Offer prepared dishes or surplus products at substantial discountsUsers reserve and pay from the app, receiving last-minute alerts and ensuring a delicious menu at a low price.
The future of technology and social engagement
The proliferation of Android apps to avoid throwing away food is transforming both domestic consumption and commercial and gastronomic practices. Thanks to these tools, we saved thousands of tons of food plus, We save money, support local production, and connect with our community. y We actively fight for a more sustainable environmentIf you want to improve your diet, discover Here are the best apps to know the origin of the products.
You just need to change some habits, download the app that best fits your needs and start being part of a community that is committed to resource utilization and environmental awarenessEvery small action counts, and together we can turn around one of the biggest problems of the 21st century.