To achieve a zero food waste scenario, a circular model needs to be adopted, to prioritise sustainable resource utilisation, waste prevention and the promotion of food reuse, repurpose and recycling.
Grub cycle is an education-based system focused on raising consumer awareness of food waste, and creating positive behaviour changes throughout the Coles supermarket customer base.
Coles has an opportunity to be a leader in an education-based program, which could significantly impact consumer awareness.
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Overview
Background Research
With food waste at the core, our team researched the global, national and local impacts of food waste on the environment; with a focus on climate change, water waste and the financial cost to the community and the environment
Victoria, Australia is now part of a global movement to halve food waste by 2030. Food waste is an issue, not just because of the quantities that end up in landfill, but because of the wasted energy and resources that went into producing, processing, transporting and cooking it.
Consumer Behaviour Change
Report from Food Waste Policy Workshop (2023)
Australian food waste experts (27) from industry, government, not for profit and research communities - identified five priority policy areas:
Consumer behaviour change campaign
Review of food waste to animal feed regulations and legislation
Unfair trading practices & whole crop purchase agreements (including cold chain)
Mandatory food waste reduction targets and/or food waste reporting for companies
Measurement of food waste and loss
(Co-creating policy research projects to assist Australia meet its commitment of halving food waste by 2030. Karunasena, G. et al., 2023)
Our Concept
We are aiming to raise consumer awareness through education of food waste prevention, and by providing accessible food waste audit stations within the Coles supermarket.
Through the system of food waste audits using the latest scanning technology waste data is collected.
Design language to reframe ‘waste’ to ‘GRUB’
Design Overview
Final Outcome
Customers utilise reusable composting caddies to return food waste at Coles supermarkets. This waste is directed to the GrubHub, an integrated composting system linked to customers' Flybuys accounts.
Through AI analysis, customers receive sustainability insights, empowering Coles to enhance supply chain efficiency. The waste transforms into compost for in-store sale or return to producers, reinforcing a circular system within Coles stores.