Top 5 Restaurant Waste Management startups

Updated: Jun 14, 2026
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These startups develop restaurant recycling technologies such as food waste digesters, inventory management software to minimize waste, waste tracking apps for sustainability reporting, etc.
1
Winnow
Country: UK | Funding: $41.9M
Winnow has developed an AI-powered food waste reduction system for professional kitchens. A camera above the trash bin and connected scales automatically identify and weigh every discarded item, then convert this data into daily reports that chefs use to adjust purchasing, menus, and portions. The system recognises over 1,000 food items and captures each disposal in under one second. According to Winnow's own data, it is the most widely used food waste management and reduction platform in the hospitality industry, with over 3,500 properties in 94 countries. It is trusted by IKEA, Hilton, Marriott, and Accor.
2
FoodMaven
Country: USA | Funding: $39.9M
FoodMaven is a B2B marketplace that helps restaurants and food service compare products and find deals on their ingredients.
3
Karma
Country: Sweden | Funding: $20.2M
Karma is a food waste management app connects surplus food from cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores to consumers at a low price.
4
Copia
Country: USA | Funding: $4.7M
Copia is the next-generation technology platform for food waste management. Copia’s technology allows businesses to safely donate their excess food, access enhanced tax deductions, and receive powerful data to inform food purchasing decisions.
5
Dispatch Goods
Country: USA | Funding: $3.7M
Dispatch Goods excludes disposable foodware from food delivery by coordinating into food delivery apps.
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Marjana Bačić
Editor: Marjana Bačić
Marjana Bačić is a senior editor for RecyclingStartups. She has has more than 5 years experience covering the recycling industry. Marjana graduated from University of Belgrade, where she edited Recycling and Sustainable Development Journal. She has helped several non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting environmental education and sustainability. She also participates in beach clean-up initiatives and advocates for sustainable practices in local businesses. In her free time, Marjana enjoys hiking in the scenic Montenegrin countryside, practicing yoga for mindfulness, and experimenting with plant-based recipes in her kitchen. You can contact Marjana at marjanabacic(at)recyclingstartups(dot)com