In a world grappling with the paradox of abundance and scarcity, Olio, a pioneering food-sharing app, has emerged as a beacon of hope. Since its founding in 2015, the app has achieved an extraordinary milestone: rescuing 100 million meals from being wasted. This accomplishment not only underscores Olio's commitment to fighting food waste but also highlights the power of the sharing economy in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
The Scale of the Problem: Food Waste and Environmental Impact
Globally, 33% of food produced is wasted, even as 800 million people go to bed hungry each night. In the UK alone, £15 billion ($19.05 billion ) worth of edible food is discarded annually, while households struggle with rising costs of living. Beyond the moral imperative, food waste significantly contributes to climate change, with household consumption accounting for 65% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Against this backdrop, Olio offers a simple yet powerful solution: enabling individuals and businesses to share surplus food and household items with their local communities, reducing waste and fostering connections.
The Olio Approach: Community and Business Collaboration
At the heart of Olio's success is its Food Waste Heroes Programme, a network of 130,000 trained volunteers who partner with major UK and Irish businesses, including Tesco, Asda, Boots, and Compass Group. These volunteers collect surplus food nearing the end of its shelf life and upload it to the Olio app, where local users can claim it for free.
Unlike food banks, Olio's approach destigmatizes the act of receiving free food by making it accessible to everyone. This inclusive ethos has helped Olio build a community of over 8 million users worldwide, demonstrating that small individual actions can collectively drive massive change.
A Massive Environmental and Social Impact
By rescuing 100 million meals, Olio has generated substantial environmental and social benefits:
177,715 tonnes of CO2 prevented: Equivalent to canceling out 177,600 flights from London to New York.
31 billion liters of water saved: Enough to fill 12,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
£183 million ($232.41 million) worth of food saved: Covering the weekly food shop for over 1.24 million families.
Additionally, Olio’s efforts extend beyond food. Its platform has facilitated the sharing of 13 million household items, including clothes, books, and furniture, helping to save resources, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable consumption.
The Human Side of Sharing
For users like Daniel and Shukur, Olio's impact goes beyond numbers. Daniel shares that Olio has been "a massive help" during challenging times, providing essential support and a sense of community. Shukur credits the app with restoring his faith in humanity: "Food might not be a big deal for many, but it is for those who don’t have it."
These stories underscore the app’s dual purpose: addressing material needs while fostering social connection. In fact, 40% of Olio users report making new friends through sharing, while 66% say it has improved their mental health.
Expanding the Sharing Economy
Olio’s mission to normalize sharing has taken it beyond food. Today, it serves as a platform for exchanging all kinds of items, from toiletries to furniture. By encouraging users to pass on items they no longer need, the app taps into the 50% of clothes in UK wardrobes that are never worn and the growing demand for sustainable consumption.
To date, Olio has prevented the equivalent of 759 million car miles worth of CO2 emissions and saved 30 billion liters of water, reflecting the profound environmental benefits of adopting a sharing economy.
Driving Systemic Change
Olio’s partnerships with nearly 9,000 business sites, including schools, hospitals, zoos, and even film sets, have established it as a key player in the fight against food waste. Its flagship partnership with Tesco in 2019 paved the way for collaborations across various sectors.
As the UK government reopens the debate on mandatory food waste reporting for businesses, Olio’s model provides a scalable, proven solution. Co-founder Tessa Clarke emphasizes the broader significance of their work: "This milestone represents more than just numbers—it's a testament to the power of collective action in fighting food waste. Each meal rescued is a step toward a better future."
Looking Ahead
Olio’s vision extends far beyond the 100-million-meal milestone. By ingraining the habit of sharing into everyday life, it aims to transform how we view consumption and community. With 60,000 ambassadors spreading the word and a growing global user base, Olio is building a movement where sharing is the norm, not the exception.
This milestone is not just a celebration of past achievements but a call to action for everyone to join in creating a world where nothing goes to waste, and no one is left behind. In the words of co-founder Saasha Celestial-One: "Together, we're proving that stopping food waste at scale is possible."
To learn more about Olio, check out our interview here.
Comments