Optimizing Resource Efficiency: A Zero Waste Approach to Surplus Food Redistribution Genoa, Italy

Key Insights

  • Driving cultural transformation through by means of an integrated framework for salvaging and distributing surplus food to individuals in need
  • A framework for distributing surplus food to individuals in need
  • Using technology to trace supply chains

Summary

Annually, Genoa sees 10,000 tons of food discarded, with a potential recovery of at least 2,000 tons. At the same time over 29,000 individuals are grappling with food scarcity. Established in 2017 in Genoa, the Ricibo Network comprises 70 associations united in the battle against poverty and food waste, receiving support from the Municipality. The network’s objective is to drive cultural transformation by means of an integrated framework for salvaging and distributing surplus food to individuals in need. It’s further augmented by an educational initiative tailored for elementary, middle, and high schools. The Ricibo Network employs the Bringthefood (BTF) App to transparently and collaboratively trace supply chains, while assessing their socioeconomic and environmental impact.
Since 2019, the educational project “Buon appetite, piatto pulito” (Enjoy Your Meal) has engaged 92 classes and 150 educators across elementary, middle, and high schools. In 2022, the catering service embraced the Green Food Week initiative, delivering eco-friendly, low-impact meals composed of organic and locally sourced ingredients to all schools under the Municipality of Genoa.
Collectively, the associations of the Ricibo Network reclaimed approximately 266 tons of surplus food in the year 2021.

Citation

Food Action Cities. (2023, September 5). Genoa zero waste city – Genoa, Italy.  Food Action Cities. https://foodactioncities.org/case-studies/genoa-zero-waste-city–genoa-italy/

Photo: by Luca Volpi  through https://libguides.wintec.ac.nz/APA7/creative-commons-images

The action and its aims

The network’s objective is to drive cultural transformation by means of an integrated framework for salvaging and distributing surplus food to individuals in need.

When it was introduced

The Ricibo Network was established in 2017 by the government.

Why it was needed

Annually, Genoa sees 10,000 tons of food discarded, with a potential recovery of at least 2,000 tons. At the same time over 29,000 individuals are grappling with food scarcity.

Who initiated it, who is involved

The Ricibo Network comprises 70 associations united in the battle against poverty and food waste, receiving support from the Municipality.

Impacts to date

Collectively, the associations of the Ricibo Network reclaimed approximately 266 tons of surplus food in 2021. Of this total 121 tons were sourced from  COOP and Conad supermarkets.
Since 2019, the educational project “Buon appetite, piatto pulito” (Enjoy Your Meal) has engaged 92 classes and 150 educators across elementary, middle, and high schools. In 2022, the catering service embraced the Green Food Week initiative, delivering eco-friendly, low-impact meals composed of organic and locally sourced ingredients to all schools under the Municipality of Genoa.
For more information visit https://www.ricibo.org/.


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