From ugly food catering companies to poverty-aiding supermarkets, these surplus re-users don't know how to say no to some extras. And it's all for the better, of course, since many products whether it's food or leather materials goes to waste each and every day.
Surplus re-users don't simply make the production process a little easier on the planet and the pocketbook, however, they also make consumers breathe a little easier. For example, the Real Junk Food Project operates a pay-as-you-feel cafe where its delicious treats are provided on a donation basis much like a recent Panera Bread innovation, although, Panera certainly is a fairly bigger company and perhaps can cushion the blow more seamlessly if there are ever lulls in donation.
20 Surplus Re-Users
From Ugly Food Catering to Poverty-Aiding Supermarkets:
Social Business Editor — May 27, 2014 — Social Good
20
Stylish Recycled Military Bags
Sword & Plough Recycle Military Fabric with Aid from Army Veterans
19
Poverty-Aiding Supermarkets
This Social Supermarket Decreases Food Prices by 70 Per Cent
18
Seasonal Eco Eateries
A Better World Cafe Serves up Accessible Sustainable Food
17
Well-Wasted Cuisine
FoodCycle Uses Surplus to Feed Local Communities
16
Ugly Food Catering
Culinary Misfits Use Disheveled Fruits and Veggies to Cater Events
15
Delicious Munificent Munchies
Rubies in the Rubble Empower Women and Tackle Food Waste with Jams
14
Sustainable Development Business Groups
WBCSD Targets a World-Wide Future of Social Change
13
Waste-Powered Gardening
EcoScraps Turns Old Food into High Quality Soil Conditioner
12
Pay-As-You-Feel Cafes
The Real Junk Food Project in the United Kingdom Offers Services by Donation
11
Fresh Produce Papers
Fenugreen Keeps Fruits and Vegetables from Spoiling
10
Micro-Farms
Abalimi Bezekhaya is an Example of Bottom-up Entrepreneurship
9
Wasted Apple Beverages
Batlow Premium Cider Stems from the Australian Co-Operative
8
Seasonal Vegetable Deliveries
Growing Places Enterprise Makes It Easy to Eat Local and Organic
7
Fresh Perspective Posts
The Social Business Visit to the FoodCycle Cambridge Hub
6
Collaborative Creation Gigs
Good for Nothing Brings People Together for Fast-Track 'Doing'
5
Fruit Jerky Products
Snact Uses Surplus Food to Create Healthy Snacks Kids Will Love
4
Surplus Food Supermarkets
Community Shop is a Social Enterprise on a Pilot Program
3
Social Purpose Gardens
'Landscaping With Heart' Employs People with Mental Illnesses in Vancouver
2
Parisian Discount Markets
ANDES is a Small Grocery Store Offering Cheap Food for People in Need
1
Surplus Gift Collaborations
'Agence du Don en Nature' Works with Corporations to Redistribute
Related Ideas
Homeless Support Backpacks
The Makeshift Traveler Backpack Has a Solar Panel and More
Grocery Bag Runway Accessory
The Marché Packable Tote Bag Boasts as a Grocery Chic Runway Bag
Intelligent Anti-Food Waste Systems
The 'FoodTusker' Reminds Users to Eat Leftovers
Pop-Up Recovery Shops
Nike’s Soup Shop in China Redefines Comfort Post-Run Experiences
Circular Runway Fashion Events
eBay Endless Runway Brings Pre-Loved Styles to Fashion Capitals
Realistic Food Candles
The Pantler’s Rations set turns familiar meals into hand-poured candles
Last-Minute Meal Pop-Ups
HelloFresh's No-Need-To-Go-To-The-Store Store Saves Commuters Time
Recycled Side Tables
The Re-Up Side Table is Made from Recycled Plastic Waste & Natural Materials
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Upcycled Bread Pastas
Eat Wasted is Debuting in the United States with Its Pasta Product
Multisensory Gourmand Pop-Ups
Lush's Café Gourmand Pop-Up Immerses Visitors in Cozy Scents
Creative Economy Meal Replacements
Sneak EATS Launched a Nutrition Product Built for Creatives
Supermarket Tourism Campaigns
K-Supermarket's Tripadvisor Listings Share a Taste of Food Culture
Flavored Cashew Snacks
Octonuts Partnered with rePurpose Global to Combat Ocean Waste
Upgraded AI-Powered Grocer Platforms
Retail Insight Significantly Enhances Its WasteInsight Tool
Plastic Reduction Concierges
The SodaStream Sustainability Concierge Helps to Cut Waste
Reusable Food Containers
ReLoopBox is a Returnable Packaging System for Vacuum-Sealed Groceries
Stylish Recycled Wool Skirts
Reet Aus' Seamless Skirt from Recycled Wool is Effortlessly Chic
Sustainable Dine-In Panama Bakeries
Mallol Arquitectos Designs the Krume Bäcker Space
In-Office Food Recycling Systems
Mill for Workplace Helps Companies Manage Food Waste at Scale
Cigarette Waste Hats
Olivia Gino Turned an Abundant Source of Litter into a Shearling-Style Hat
Everyday Sustainable Bags
Out of the Woods Offers Versatile Bags for Essentials
Decluttered Ad Campaigns
IKEA Unpackaged Goods Organizes Branded Products into Storage Containers
Sustainability-Focused Material Partnerships
Reju Improves Its Supply Chain with Rematrix
Dumping-Like Fashion Bags
Esenes Worldwide Bag Mimics Edible Textures Through Sculptural Design
Experiential Brand Cafés
Nutella Reimagines Its Chicago Café with Digital Ordering and a New Menu
Sustainable Food Waste Cosmetics
Clean Food Group's New CleaOoil Products are Eco-Friendly
Reusable Packaging Grocery Stores
Nude Foods Market Packs Foods in Returnable Glass Jars
E-Waste-Reducing USB Keys
Back Market & Google are Making Compatible Older Laptops Relevant Again
Textile Recycling Devices
The ByBye Converts Discarded Clothing into Rigid Flower Pots
Reusable Takeaway Packaging Pilots
VTT Launches Reuse Pilot for Ready Meal Packaging
Sustainable Retailer Packaging Updates
This Co-op Sustainable Packaging Initiative is Expansive
Food-Based Body Bars
The Hygiene Bank & Goodwash Created The Edible Soap to Expose Hygiene Poverty
Reusable Food Packaging Systems
Compass Group Expands Its Cauli Smart Reusable System
Workplace Meal Culture
ezCater Shows Employee Food Programs Driving Office Engagement
Free-From Food Labeling Initiatives
The Non-UPF Verified Seal Helps Shoppers Find Natural Items
Repurposed Fruit Juices
Daily Dose is Unveiling a New Apple Juice Made from Excess Fruit
Consumer-Driven Grocery Stores
The Waitrose Home of Food Lovers Concept Store is in Newbury
E-Commerce Giving Integration
Shortage Enables Charitable Upsells Through Shopify Storefronts
Urban Food Hubs
M&S Expands City Stores with Bakery, Coffee, Sushi, and Fresh Food
Poetic Secondhand Campaigns
Depop's Where Taste Recognizes Taste Celebrates Style Doppelgangers
AI Food Waste Systems
Zest’s AI Platform Helps Nestlé Track and Redistribute Food in Real Time
Reusable Fibre Packaging Collaborations
DS Smith Has Backed Re-Zip's Reuse Fast Track Initiative
Restaurant-to-Retail Expansions
Little Sesame Secured $8.5M to Scale Its Manufacturing Operations
3d-Printed Rubble Furniture
Inorganic Growth by Bentu Design Transforms Demolished Urban Villages
Reusable Packaging Supermarket Trials
Amcor and Ocado are Working Together for a Packaging Project
Campus Food Insecurity Initiatives
Chartwells Higher Education Debuts 'United Through Food'
Food-Safe Recycled Packaging
Scanfill Launches Food-Grade rPP Foil with Prevented Ocean Plastic™
Anti-Water Waste Cleaning Campaigns
The Ecover 'Waste No Space' Campaign Encourages Conservation
Free Educational Fashion Events
Fashion Takes Action is Hosting a Free Public Event Named Remode
Autonomous Plant-Based Pop-Ups
Okay's Easy Switch Pop-Up Makes Plant-Based Options Accessible
Connected Supermarket Platforms
Carrefour and Vusion Loot to the Future of Supermarket Retail
Social Good Coffee Vans
Nespresso and Change Please Partnered to Help End Homelessness
Kitchen Waste Organizers
The Marna K821 Trash Bag Holder Turns Produce Bags into Countertop Bins
Compact Urban Grocery Retail
Whole Foods Expanded Daily Shop Stores into Three U.S. Cities
Cheeky Food-Made Beauty Ranges
Warburtons Spoof Beauty Range Creates Picture-Perfect Lunches
Returnable Meal Containers
ReBento Updates Food Packaging with a Reusable Collection System
Unused Condiment Exchanges
Heinz Trade-Up Lets People Trade Unwanted Packets for a Ketchup Bottle
Snack Packet Recycling
HolyGrail 2030 Has Introduced Its Polypropylene Snack Packet Pilot
Greengrocer Dance Parties
Gosh! is Taking Over a Local Shop for a One-Night-Only Veg Rave
Nonprofit-Supporting Salad Bowls
Just Salad's New Rethink Food Bowl Supports Rethink Food
AI-Powered Food Waste Apps
Leanpath Empowers Culinary Professionals with Real-Time Insights
Waste Diversion Grocer Initiatives
Giant Food and Divert Partnered to Combat Food Waste
Charitable Food Security Campaigns
Riunite Joins Forces with Meals on Wheels America
Workplace Smart Fridges
Fraîche Makes Chef-Crafted Meals Accessible to Employees in the Office
Reusable Hospital Cup System
Borealis and FSG Launch Reusable Polypropylene Cups
Circular Logistics Systems
Tosca and Cabka introduce reusable pallets for supply chains
In-Store DIY Packaging Stations
Taco Bell UK is Uniquely Supporting Circular Fashion Sellers
Upcycled Produce Hot Sauces
Rubies in the Rubble Hot Sauce is Made with Rescued Pears and Carrots
Refrigerated Vending Machines
The REDYREF Smart Food Fridge Uses RFID Technology
Tasty Refrigerated Prepared Foods
Reser's Fine Foods Debuts New Prepared Foods Lineup
Reduced Plastic Foodservice Partnerships
Prowrap and Tortilla Partnered to Reduce Plastic Waste
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Parent-to-Parent Marketplaces
Blossoms Helps Families Exchange Gently Used Children's Clothing
Simplified Snacking Campaigns
Go Raw's Uncomplicate Snacking Fights Nutrition Information Overload
Collaboration Prepackaged Plant-Based Foods
Gosh! and Urban Eat Partnered for Plant-Based fare
Moving Company-Supported Food Initiatives
Go Mini’s & Move for Hunger Form a Strategic Partnership
High-Content rPET Meat Trays
Faerch And Norfersk Launch 70% Tray-To-Tray rPET Trays
Ingredient-First Meal Planning
Kitchen2MyTable Helps Cooks Use Existing Ingredients
Upcycled Fruit Chews
Climate Candy Turns Unharvested Imperfect Produce into Sweet Treats
Multi-Revenue Fashion Platforms
Rent the Runway expands into resale, ads and cleaning services
Workplace Meal Platforms
Factor for Business is a Convenient Catering Alternative for Companies
Recycled PET Industrial Bags
Boxon Launches Food-Contact Big Bags Approved in EMEA
Recyclable Produce Packaging Partnerships
Reflex Group and Marks & Spencer Partnered on Packaging
Regenerative Wheat Agriculture Initiatives
Puratos Expands Efforts in the US Wheat Supply Chain
Viral Bakery Reinventions
Sainsbury's Launches Dipped Croissants Inspired by Social Pastry Trends
Imperfect Vegetable Ferments
Farmented Foods Turns Ugly Veg into Good-for-the-Gut Nourishment
Recurring Office Meal Programs
Nüu Catering Launches Its Nüu Platform To Automate Workplace Meals
Accessible Design Campaigns
Canva's Really, Really Good Design Transformed a Sandwich Business
Future-Facing Food Menus
Fura's Future Food Menu Explores the Impacts of Climate Change
Community-Centered Bakery Cafés
Paris Baguette expands through neighborhood café experiences
Grocery Surplus Discount Programs
Kroger Launches the Cost-Effective Flashfood App Pilot
Donation-Based Menu Deals
Domino’s Turns Pizza Purchases into Donations for Kids with Illnesses
Plane-Compatible AI Catering Systems
Airbus Has Developed Smart Catering to Enhance Convenience
Baker-Supporting Cost-Reducing Initiatives
Puratos U.S. is Striving to Better Support Bakers
Plastic-Free Takeaway Boxes
Just Eat Takeaway.com Launches the Huhtamaki Xampla Boxes
Miniature Household Cleaners
The 5% Collection by Grove Co. Shares an Important Recycling Reminder
Ultra-Processed Food Challenges
WISEcode Announces the Launch of the $200k UPF Code Hack
Local Food Discoveries
Streeats Helps You Find Hidden Street Food Gems Recommended By Locals
Nutritious Cafe Meal Menus
Pret A Manger Super Plates are Packed with Nutrients and Flavor
Cruise Company-Led Meal Donations
Carnival Corporation Expands Corporate Responsibility Program
Seasonal Social Good Sandwiches
Urban Eat and Teenage Cancer Trust Partnered for the Holidays
Circular Fashion Platforms
eBay Acquired Depop to Grow Its Fashion Resale Ecosystem
Wealth Gap Pop-Ups
Oxfam's Pie Society Served the People’s Pie & Mash and The Upper Crust Special
Student-Designed Reusable Bags
These Metcalfe’s Market Reusable Shopping Bags Celebrate the Earth
Mobile Pay-What-You-Can Markets
Brightspeed Partners with Ripe for Revival to Support Communities
Social Good Clothing Campaigns
ZigZag and The Salvation Army Partnered to Prevent Fashion Waste
Charitable Influencer-Targeting Campaigns
Puresport Runs the 'Thrift It Back' Campaign
Charitable Food Initiatives
Wild Turkey x Andrew Babish Launch a Charitable Friendsgiving Campaign
Reusable Packaging Systems
Jokey and Circolution Launch a Reusable Packaging System
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Festival-Inspired Resale Marketplaces
The Reloved Market Pop-Up Shares In-Demand Seasonal Styles
Industrial Food Hall Revivals
The Pullman Market Adaptive Reuse Design Revitalizes a Glass Factory
anti-food insecurity programs
California Milk Advisory Board & Raley's Food For Families partner
Wristband Balance Donations
UNICEF Spain's Cash Forward Provides Purpose for Unspent Money
Pet Gear Recycling Schemes
Pet Supplies Plus & Wag N' Wash Achieve a Recycled Packaging Milestone
Service-Backed Recommerce Platforms
Commonplace Launches Marketplace With Built-In Delivery
Fashionable Hospitality Aprons
JClark Designed Reimagines Aprons for Cafés and Restaurants
Reusable Cardboard Buckets
Royal Flora Holland Launches a Reusable Bucket for Logistics
Community-Powered Hunger Relief
Meals on Wheels Chicago launches the Feed a Neighbor Fund
Agricultural Support Projects
Julius Meinl and Fairtrade Organizations Support Farmers in India
Second-Hand Tech Deliveries
CeX and Just Eat Takeaway.com Will Deliver Pre-Owned Gaming Products
Bio-Based Packaging Concepts
UPM Specialty Materials and Paramelt Debut Paper-Based Packagings
Parcel Delivery Vehicle Donations
Purolator Donates Eight Retired Delivery Trucks to Food Banks
Music Venue-Led Food Drives
The 9:30 Club Addresses Hunger and Food Waste
University-Led Food Research Projects
Breda University Launches a Multi-Year Study
Commission-Free Food Marketplaces
Lunchbox & OPA! Deliver Alternative to Third-Party Marketplaces
Complimentary Order Aggregation Features
Lunchbox Helps Restaurants Grow Their Revenue
Repurposed Community Hubs
Mooie Buurt Adds Value to Venues & Unites Locals During Off-Peak Hours
Reusable Cup Deposit Systems
Borro Raises €1.3 Million to Expand Its Digital Deposit System
Anti-Theft Food-Focused Programs
Mahoney Environmental Debuts the Grease Theft Rewards Program
Meal Delivery Brand Advantages
Clean Eatz Kitchen Signals to Its Advantages in the Market
Specialized Industrial Workwear Donations
RefrigiWear Contributes to Disaster Relief Efforts
Dining Organizer Apps
Yumbox Helps You Track And Filter Your Favorite Restaurants
Canned Pasta Water Pranks
Eat Wasted Teased a Canned Pasta Water as a Way to Reduce Water Waste
Food Management Tools
Food Wise Pal Helps Track Inventory And Reduce Food Waste
Shared Cooking Platforms
Wheat Helps Friends Combine Ingredients At Home For Smarter Cooking
Student-Focused Charitable Campaigns
Tackle Hunger & Collaborators Launch Fill the Fridge Campaign
Zero-Waste Dining Spaces
Gourmega Reuses Discarded Materials Across Its Manhattan Interior
Fermented Vegetable Meat Alternatives
GRUBBY and Symplicity Collaborated on Limited-Edition Dishes