How to save money and fight food waste

A new generation of apps is rescuing perfectly good food from landfills, making it available at a fraction of the retail price at restaurants and grocery stores.

Michael J. Coren reports for The Washington Post.


In short:

  • Food waste apps like Flashfood and Too Good To Go connect users to surplus food from grocery stores and restaurants.
  • These apps help reduce the 2.5 million tons of food waste retailers discard annually, benefiting both the environment and consumers.
  • By purchasing discounted surplus food, users can save money and access healthier food options.

Key quote:

“It feels like they are spreading like wildfire. I love the model because at least some of the food would literally have been thrown out a day later. It really is saving it from the garbage.”

— Dana Gunders, ReFED

Why this matters:

These digital do-gooders save money and so much more. Reducing food waste can cut global CO2 emissions and provide affordable, nutritious food options, particularly benefiting low-income families struggling with the high cost of healthy eating. Read more: New White House strategy backs food rescue efforts but more is needed to fight hunger and waste.

A farm tractor driving across a field of soil

Fiber optic cables reveal a big problem at the heart of farming

Tilling helps farmers control weeds and boost soil fertility. But it also degrades a field's ability to hold water and carbon.
A Monopoly card that says CHANCE and Get out of jail free

How the oil barons are seeking a get-out-of-jail-free card for climate change damages

A recent move by the U.S. Supreme Court could actually make fossil fuel companies more vulnerable to lawsuits, but the polluters are pushing for a workaround.

Wildfire on ridgetop threatens a neighborhood. Suburban home with vehicles in driveway.

Climate disasters hit homeowners through insurance bills, and states want Big Oil to pay

After surviving a California wildfire, one family saw premiums quadruple — as states consider laws to force fossil fuel companies to pay for the soaring costs of climate catastrophes they helped create.
Court gavel resting on unnamed book which is sitting on scattered $100 bills.

Maryland’s Supreme Court strikes down Baltimore’s climate lawsuit

The decision represents a setback to other local governments around the U.S. that have sued oil companies to recoup the mounting costs of climate change.

An offshore oil platform with the sun setting in the background

California sues Trump over order to open coastal oil pipeline

California argues the Trump administration invented an energy emergency to justify forcing the restart of a shuttered offshore oil operation.

A red emergency light on a black surface

"Every key indicator flashing red" warns UN's 2025 climate report

The State of the Global Climate 2025 report confirms that 2015 to 2025 were the hottest 11 years on record as ocean heat hit a new high.

Jakarta, Indonesia, cityscape

Jakarta rapidly sinks as climate change and overdevelopment collide

Across the U.S. and around the world, coastal cities are grappling with rising seas and worsening floods.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.