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
Creative Laundry Solutions
'Uncommon' and 'Ecover' Release 'Rewear Chair' to Reduce Overwashing
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
Luxe Supermarket Minimal Fashion
Erewhon Supermarket and Merci Join on a Special Capsule
Surplus Fabric Childrenswear
The Remake by Burberry Repurposes Excess Fabrics and Yarns
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
Decluttered Ad Campaigns
IKEA Unpackaged Goods Organizes Branded Products into Storage Containers
Edible Wrapper Snack Bars
One Good Thing Bars Have a No-Waste Formulation
QSR Hunger Initiatives
Starbucks Expands FoodShare Program with Customer Participation Options
Last-Minute Meal Pop-Ups
HelloFresh's No-Need-To-Go-To-The-Store Store Saves Commuters Time
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
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
Retail Overconsumption Campaigns
Coachtopia's 'The Wasted Parts' Explores Overconsumption Culture
Flavored Cashew Snacks
Octonuts Partnered with rePurpose Global to Combat Ocean Waste
Regenerative Designer Fashion Shows
eBay will Host an 'Endless Runway' Showcasing Pre-Loved Looks
Upgraded AI-Powered Grocer Platforms
Retail Insight Significantly Enhances Its WasteInsight Tool
Plastic Reduction Concierges
The SodaStream Sustainability Concierge Helps to Cut Waste
Stylish Recycled Wool Skirts
Reet Aus' Seamless Skirt from Recycled Wool is Effortlessly Chic
Recyclable Apple Packaging Initiatives
Superfresh Growers Introduces a New Sustainable Packaging
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
Sustainable Food Waste Cosmetics
Clean Food Group's New CleaOoil Products are Eco-Friendly
E-Commerce Recycling Programs
GUESS Launched GUESS Again in Partnership with SuperCircle
Sustainability-Focused Material Partnerships
Reju Improves Its Supply Chain with Rematrix
Dumping-Like Fashion Bags
Esenes Worldwide Bag Mimics Edible Textures Through Sculptural Design
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
Rebranded Food Delivery Apps
Skip Revamps Its Brand Identity to 'Skip to the Good Part'
Eco-Friendly Sleek Office Furniture
Jenny Nordberg and Soeco Join on Refurbished Office Furniture
Sustainable Surplus Bread Beers
Toast Brewing and Tiny Rebel Partnered for a Hazy Pale Ale
Sustainable Retailer Packaging Updates
This Co-op Sustainable Packaging Initiative is Expansive
Pioneering Plant-Based Supermarkets
REWE's Venture is Considered a Bold Innovation in the Industry
Food-Based Body Bars
The Hygiene Bank & Goodwash Created The Edible Soap to Expose Hygiene Poverty
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
E-Commerce Giving Integration
Shortage Enables Charitable Upsells Through Shopify Storefronts
Consumer-Driven Grocery Stores
The Waitrose Home of Food Lovers Concept Store is in Newbury
Reusable Takeaway Packaging Pilots
VTT Launches Reuse Pilot for Ready Meal Packaging
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
Private Label Organic Soups
Natural Grocers Organic Soups Come in Six Recipes
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
Campus Food Insecurity Initiatives
Chartwells Higher Education Debuts 'United Through Food'
Circular Fashion-Enabling Partnerships
Coach and Poshmark's Collaboration Makes Buyer Resale Easy
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
Multi-Revenue Fashion Platforms
Rent the Runway expands into resale, ads and cleaning services
Cheeky Food-Made Beauty Ranges
Warburtons Spoof Beauty Range Creates Picture-Perfect Lunches
Unused Condiment Exchanges
Heinz Trade-Up Lets People Trade Unwanted Packets for a Ketchup Bottle
Fashion-Forward Grocery Totes
The Latest Waitrose x Lulu Guinness Tote is Made of Recycled Plastic
Clean-Ingredient Ready Meals
Proper Good's Globally Inspired Soups are Convenient & Healthy
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
In-Store DIY Packaging Stations
Taco Bell UK is Uniquely Supporting Circular Fashion Sellers
Refrigerated Vending Machines
The REDYREF Smart Food Fridge Uses RFID Technology
Reduced Plastic Foodservice Partnerships
Prowrap and Tortilla Partnered to Reduce Plastic Waste
Waste-Minimizing Food Apps
"Oh, a Potato" Suggests Meal Ideas Based on Inventory
Parent-to-Parent Marketplaces
Blossoms Helps Families Exchange Gently Used Children's Clothing
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Collaboration Prepackaged Plant-Based Foods
Gosh! and Urban Eat Partnered for Plant-Based fare
Simplified Snacking Campaigns
Go Raw's Uncomplicate Snacking Fights Nutrition Information Overload
Moving Company-Supported Food Initiatives
Go Mini’s & Move for Hunger Form a Strategic Partnership
Upcycled Fruit Chews
Climate Candy Turns Unharvested Imperfect Produce into Sweet Treats
Recycled PET Industrial Bags
Boxon Launches Food-Contact Big Bags Approved in EMEA
Donation-Based Menu Deals
Domino’s Turns Pizza Purchases into Donations for Kids with Illnesses
Accessible Design Campaigns
Canva's Really, Really Good Design Transformed a Sandwich Business
Food Insecurity Retail Campaigns
Asda 'You Buy, We Donate' Benefits BBC Children in Need
Leftover Bread-Based Beers
Aldi is Launching Food Waste Beers Under the Hop Foundry Brand
Future-Facing Food Menus
Fura's Future Food Menu Explores the Impacts of Climate Change
Student-Designed Reusable Bags
These Metcalfe’s Market Reusable Shopping Bags Celebrate the Earth
High-Content rPET Meat Trays
Faerch And Norfersk Launch 70% Tray-To-Tray rPET Trays
Upcycled Grain Naan Breads
Atoria’s Family Bakery Mini Upcycled Naan Has an Eco-Friendly Recipe
From-Scratch Soup Deliveries
Jane Foodie and FreshDirect Partnered to Expand Access
Plastic-Free Takeaway Boxes
Just Eat Takeaway.com Launches the Huhtamaki Xampla Boxes
Plane-Compatible AI Catering Systems
Airbus Has Developed Smart Catering to Enhance Convenience
Social Good Pastry Campaigns
Action Against Hunger and Wall’s Pastry Partnered for a Good Cause
Business-Friendly Efficient Composting Technologies
Emerald Ecovations Partners with Octoen
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 Logistics Systems
Tosca and Cabka introduce reusable pallets for supply chains
Charity Christmas Foods
Co-Ops 'Christmas Food to Go' Range Supports a Childrens Charity
Wealth Gap Pop-Ups
Oxfam's Pie Society Served the People’s Pie & Mash and The Upper Crust Special
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
Upcycled Wine Brands
Rotterdam Urban Winery Addresses the Food Waste Crisis
Grocery Surplus Discount Programs
Kroger Launches the Cost-Effective Flashfood App Pilot
Retailer-Opened Food Markets
The MUJI Food Market Opens its Doors in Chelsea Market in NYC
Global Food Retail Expansions
Supermarket Italy Emphasizes Global Flavors from Around the World
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Service-Backed Recommerce Platforms
Commonplace Launches Marketplace With Built-In Delivery
Industrial Food Hall Revivals
The Pullman Market Adaptive Reuse Design Revitalizes a Glass Factory
Pre-Loved Clothing Platforms
Zara is Expanding its Pre-Owned Platform for Eco-Shopping
Social Good Ready Meals
Sainsbury’s Italian Style Ready Meals Come in Several Varieties
Pet Gear Recycling Schemes
Pet Supplies Plus & Wag N' Wash Achieve a Recycled Packaging Milestone
Fashionable Hospitality Aprons
JClark Designed Reimagines Aprons for Cafés and Restaurants
Prepackaged Street Food Sandwiches
The Urban Eat Urban Street Range Has Three Options
Reusable Cardboard Buckets
Royal Flora Holland Launches a Reusable Bucket for Logistics
Agricultural Support Projects
Julius Meinl and Fairtrade Organizations Support Farmers in India
Retailer-Backed Reseller Platforms
IKEA Preowned Helps Consumers Sell Their Housewares
Closet-Clearing Challenges
Traid's Closet Clear-out Challenge Boosts Garment Donations
Second-Hand Tech Deliveries
CeX and Just Eat Takeaway.com Will Deliver Pre-Owned Gaming Products
Disaster Relief-Supporting Pr Initiatives
Publicity for Good Supports Hurricane Helene Relief
Free-From Private Label Cleaners
Nature Grocers Brand Household Cleaners Come in Six Options
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
Food Insecurity-Addressing Partnerships
TUMS and Second Harvest Address Food Insecurity in Canada
Complimentary Order Aggregation Features
Lunchbox Helps Restaurants Grow Their Revenue
Allergen-Friendly Grocery Lines
Waitrose Highlights Allergens in its FreeForm Additions
Repurposed Community Hubs
Mooie Buurt Adds Value to Venues & Unites Locals During Off-Peak Hours
Bio-Based Packaging Concepts
UPM Specialty Materials and Paramelt Debut Paper-Based Packagings
Ultra-Green Deadstock Stores
The Kisarazu Concept Store is Deeply Rooted in Sustainable Practices
Expiration Management Tools
East of England Co-op Taps Retail Insight for a New Waste Solution
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 Kitchen Initatives
Metro & Food Banks of Quebec Address Food Insecurity
Hunger Relief Dining Initiatives
TooJay's and Feeding Florida Partnered for Hunger Awareness Month
Shared Cooking Platforms
Wheat Helps Friends Combine Ingredients At Home For Smarter Cooking
Fermented Vegetable Meat Alternatives
GRUBBY and Symplicity Collaborated on Limited-Edition Dishes