As intriguing as it is threatening for some, artificial intelligence nonetheless remains an additional tool to increase efforts in reducing food waste, estimated at 1.05 billion tonnes in 2022, according to the latest report from the 'UN. This Earth Day, focus on three initiatives that use this new technology to offer a solution to the waste.
To lower the prices of foods close to the expiration date
In Tel Aviv, a start-up has developed a system of price tags that adjust as the expiration date approaches. It is up to the consumer to make a conscious choice, preferring to spend less and/or favor a food to avoid increasing the quantity of food waste. Logically, it is in fact the products that are less successful that benefit from a price adjustment. According to the company Wasteless, we could save 40% on food waste. And to present this result, it uses artificial intelligence, which, based on a sum of data, can determine the price to adapt according to the stock, the product itself and the expiration date.
To spot leftovers in the fridge
We all have some pasta lying around at the bottom of the fridge “because we’ll eat it tomorrow night”. We all also have zucchini and peppers in the vegetable drawer “because we'll make soup tomorrow evening”…. And finally, the menu is nothing like a plaster of reheated shells or a bowl of milled vegetables… Which refrigerator contains no leftovers? Packaged in airtight boxes, or worse pushed to the bottom of the device, we quickly forget their existence. This is why the Hellmann's brand launched the Meal Reveal app. Powered by Google Cloud's artificial intelligence technology, the module recognizes the entire contents of a fridge with the support of a simple scan or video. Recipes are then generated to engage consumers in reducing food waste. The app is free and does not even require a download thanks to a QR Code that you simply scan on the home page of the portal of the brand belonging to Unilever.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
To adapt the supply of shelves in stores
Consumers are often entrusted with the responsibility of limiting food waste by better adapting their purchases and planning the contents of their next meals. Except that responsibility also falls on trade professionals, in this case distributors. This is why a Berlin start-up called FreshFlow has developed software that provides precise information on how to restock the shelves with perishable goods, particularly fruits and vegetables. Because it is a display very concerned with food waste due to the short lifespan of the products, but also the need to keep it supplied to make consumers want to buy while offering food at appetizing appearance. The database is therefore powered by artificial intelligence which determines the varieties of food to add to the shelves and the orders to place. According to FreshFlow, €50 billion worth of fresh produce is thrown away in Europe every year by retailers due to poor inventory management.
Slide: 10 tips to stop wasting vegetable skins
