The launch of Too Good To Go in Australia might just be what our Responsible Cafes were waiting for!
According to UNEP, about 1.05 billion tonnes of perfectly good food was wasted in 2022. 60% happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28% and retail 12 %.
The Great Unwaste campaign shares the average Australian household throws 265kgs of food waste in the bin a year and food waste costs households more than $2,500 per year! Australian households throw away the equivalent of 7.7 million meals every day.
Now, a simple app called Too Good To Go in Australia and is tackling both problems at once, by rescuing surplus food from cafes, bakeries, and supermarkets, and offering it to the community at a fraction of the price.
Too Good To Go in Australia is Turning Waste into Opportunity
The Too Good To Go app is free to download and easy to use. Cafes and restaurants list their leftover food in discounted “Surprise Bags”, which can be everything from unsold pastries to prepared meals.
Users then reserve and collect these bags during a set pick-up window. You don’t know exactly what you’ll get, but you do know it’s fresh, edible, and would otherwise have gone to waste.
This approach means food that might have ended up in landfill instead finds its way onto dinner tables, saving resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing food waste.
A Global Movement with Local Impact
Founded in Denmark in 2016, Too Good To Go has become the world’s largest surplus food marketplace, operating across nearly 20 countries and boasting more than 100 million registered users. Together, the app’s community has already saved hundreds of millions of meals, which prevented the equivalent of millions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
The launch in Australia brings that impact closer to home. Already, thousands of local bakeries, cafes and shops have signed up, giving residents a chance to eat well, spend less, and act sustainably with each purchase.
Why It Matters
Food waste is one of the biggest drivers of climate change, responsible for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By saving food, the Too Good To Go app not only helps households cut costs but also contributes to climate action in a simple, accessible way.
For businesses, the benefits are clear: reduce waste, recover costs, and connect with new customers who may return for future purchases. For consumers, it’s a win-win, an affordable meal and a chance to do good for the planet.
How does it work for Cafes?
Getting involved as a café or restaurant is simple and completely flexible. Here’s how it works step by step:
- Sign Up: Cafés register their business on the Too Good To Go platform and set up a profile, including location, type of food, and opening hours.
- List Surplus Items: At the end of the day, staff estimate how many “Surprise Bags” of surplus food they have available.
- Set a Pick-up Window: Choose a convenient collection time for customers to come and grab their Surprise Bags.
- Customers Reserve and Pay: Local app users see the listing, reserve their bag, and pay directly through the app.
Hand Over with a Smile: Customers arrive during the pick-up window, show their order confirmation, and collect their bag.
Cafés keep a portion of the proceeds, reduce their daily waste, and reach new environmentally conscious customers with minimal effort.
Join the Movement
With a few taps on your phone, you can help fight food waste, support local businesses, and take action against climate change. Download the Too Good To Go app today and discover how one small act can add up to a big difference for the planet.
I am Jian, a sustainability enthusiast and a coffee lover. With a passion for sustainability and community engagement, I enjoy sharing stories and insights that make sustainable living more accessible for everyone. Through the Responsible Cafes blog, I hope to support waste reduction and inspire small daily actions that create a positive impact.