Reducing food waste and diverting waste from landfill 

At Foodstuffs North Island, we’re working to reduce food waste and keep more resources out of landfill as part of our HereforNZ commitment and our promise to help future generations thrive.  

Our approach 

We focus on two key areas: 

• Preventing food waste before it happens through better stock management and tools like Whywaste
• Finding better uses for surplus food and other materials through partnerships with food rescue groups, farmers and recycling providers

Across our stores, teams are finding practical ways to reduce waste, including: 

• Repurposing products nearing expiry across departments
• Using technology to improve stock rotation and ordering
• Making cardboard boxes available for customers to carry their groceries

Stores are also diverting waste from landfill by: 

• Donating edible surplus food to local food rescue organisations
• Recycling cardboard, plastic wrap, oils and fats
• Sending food scraps and vegetable trimmings to composting and stock feed
• Repurposing protein waste from butcheries into pet food

Case study: Landing Drive Distribution Centre 

Our Landing Drive Distribution Centre has achieved a 90% diversion rate from landfill through better recycling, staff training and partnerships with organisations including New Zealand Food Network. 

The site has introduced new solutions for hard-to-recycle materials, improved resource recovery through a new compactor, and helps redistribute food that can’t be sold so it reaches people who need it, instead of going to landfill. 

Why it matters 

Reducing waste helps lower our environmental impact and supports local communities.  Through practical improvements, innovation and strong partnerships, we’re continuing to make progress toward our aspirational goal of zero waste to landfill.