Food waste is one of the major global challenges facing the modern world. Not only does it have a devastating economic and environmental impact, but it also poses a moral question in the face of increasing inequality in the distribution of food resources globally. Regusto is the largest technology ecosystem dedicated to the circular economy, created to revolutionize the way food surpluses are managed, ensuring transparency, traceability and security in every transaction thanks to blockchain technology.
Food waste in Italy and the crucial role of blockchain
In Italy, food waste is a significant problem, with economic costs of more than 13 billion euros per year. According to 2024 data from theWaste Watcher Observatory, every day in our homes has gone from 75 to nearly 81 grams of food wasted per capita (exactly 80.9 grams), with a weekly increase from 524.1 grams in 2023 to 566.3 grams in 2024, registering an increase of 8.05 percent.
In 2024, food waste will weigh economically about 290 euros per year for each Italian family, or 126 euros per person. This phenomenon is more prevalent in large cities(+8%) than in small towns, and it mainly affects families without children(+3%) and consumers with reduced purchasing power(+17%). Geographically, more is wasted in the South (+4% compared to the national average) and less in the North (-6%).
Surprisingly, it is people with lower incomes who waste the most: a segment of the population that includes more than 5.7 million individuals, more than 10 percent of the national total. The main cause is the tendency to buy lower quality food, which perishes more quickly and is more likely to end up in the trash.
This waste is not only limited to households, but also involves large retailers and the food industry. The 13 billion euros of total food waste in Italy mainly includes household waste, which accounts for more than 7.4 billion euros, and that which occurs in distribution, which is responsible for about half of the total food waste. In the distribution chain, more than 310,000 tons of food are wasted each year, causing economic losses estimated at around 4 billion euros.
Added to this is wastage in the fields, which weighs in at more than 1.1 million tons of wasted produce, equivalent to about 856 million euros. Finally, thefood industry also contributes significantly to the problem, with 1 million tons of food wasted and an economic loss of more than 856 million euros.
Food surplus management and redistribution is a potential solution, but without proper tools, this practice can be ineffective. Many Italian companies are beginning to understand the importance of implementing more sustainable practices and adopting innovative technologies such as blockchain to track and reduce food surpluses.
Regusto, Italy’s largest technology ecosystem dedicated to the circular economy, thanks to the use of blockchain technology, tracks every transaction of waste-prone products, food or non-food, donated or sold at capped prices by companies to nonprofits, ensuring maximum transparency and security.
Blockchain technology and its impact on transparency and traceability
The blockchain is a technology that offers a number of key benefits for traceability and security of transactions. The blockchain ensures that every transaction is recorded immutably, which means that it cannot be altered or deleted once it is entered into the blockchain.
This level of transparency is particularly relevant in the food sector, where it is essential to know exactly where and when products were distributed or donated. Blockchain allows companies and nonprofits to track each and every donation, ensuring that food surpluses are managed efficiently and reach those in need.
In addition, blockchain increases trust between consumers and businesses, as it ensures that information about donations and transactions is fully transparent and searchable in real time. This not only helps combat food waste, but also improves corporate reputation, helping to strengthen the bond between business and community.
Regusto: innovation in food surplus traceability
Blockchain is rapidly gaining ground in the agribusiness sector, where it is mainly used to ensure supply chain traceability, certifying the origin of ingredients and monitoring the life cycle of products. Large companies such as Walmart in the United States have implemented this technology to ensure food safety and reduce contamination risks, while in Europe, programs such as Wasteless are exploring the potential of blockchain for the circular economy and waste reduction.
Regusto has taken an innovative approach, applying blockchain with the aim of reducing food waste by ensuring that products at risk of waste are recovered, redistributed, and tracked with full transparency.
Unlike traditional blockchain applications that focus primarily on food security, Regusto uses this technology to record every donation or transaction of surplus food, offering a concrete solution to reduce waste. Using blockchain, Regusto ensures that every product, food or non-food, can be tracked from the point of origin to its final distribution, ensuring that nothing is wasted without careful recording and verification. This approach not only improves transparency, but also enables food waste to be combated more effectively and responsibly.
Through the platform, users can access detailed statistics and reports, which provide accurate data on the quantities of products recovered, CO₂ avoided and thesocial impact generated. These performance indices are essential for companies that wish to monitor their commitment to sustainability and include this data in their sustainability report. A data-driven approach that allows companies to have a clear view of the positive contribution they are making to society and the environment through waste reduction.
The future of food surplus monitoring
Blockchain emerges among revolutionary technologies for food surplus tracking and food waste management. Not only does it enable precise tracking of surpluses, but it also provides transparency and security in every transaction.
The future of food surplus management inevitably passes through the adoption of innovative technologies such as blockchain. Companies that adopt these tools not only reduce their environmental impact, but also improve their reputation and commitment to social responsibility.
If your company wants to help reduce food waste through a transparent and secure system, Regusto is the ideal partner. Contact us to find out how we can help you implement blockchain-based solutions to track your surplus and contribute to the circular economy.
