Replate

Replate is a community-based food rescue solution that operates at the intersection of technology and impact to reduce food waste and mitigate climate change globally by creating the most efficient food recovery system. Replate has delivered over 3.4 million meals to nonprofits, saving over 1 billion gallons of water and diverting 4,200 tons of GHG emissions from the atmosphere.

The Problem
Climate change has become one of the most substantial challenges facing our planet. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and severe impacts on biodiversity are further accelerated by food waste, which is a major factor driving the climate crisis. When food is discarded, not only does it waste all the resources used in producing, processing, and preparing it, but it also worsens the climate crisis with its significant greenhouse gas emissions. In the U.S., more than 35% of food is sent to landfills each year, producing GHG emissions equal to that of 42 coal power plants. Project Drawdown, the world’s leading climate solutions database, identifies food waste reduction as one of the largest levers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change.

In the wake of persisting inflationary economies and climate emergencies, food insecurity is worsening beyond the already alarming crisis levels. While the U.S. throws away more than 170 million tons of food each year, over 44 million people, including over 10 million children, still lack access to healthy, affordable meals.

The Solution
Replate envisions a future where surplus reduction and food recovery are ingrained into our societal fabric and become routine parts of our food systems. Their mission involves creating a sustainable food system that minimizes the environmental impact of food waste while converting surplus into nourishment for communities.

To achieve this vision, Replate has developed an online platform that streamlines the food recovery process. This platform enables businesses to schedule on-demand pickups with live customer support and real-time impact tracking. Imagine a network where every restaurant, grocery store, corporate cafeteria, and food-serving business is connected, efficiently redirecting surplus food to communities in need. Unlike traditional models that primarily handle pantry items with longer shelf lives, Replate’s technology focuses on rescuing fresh, perishable prepared meals—the largest source of food waste. Additionally, Replate’s platform collects data on surplus, allowing stakeholders to monitor their impact, including the amount of food waste prevented, meals rescued, water saved, and GHG emissions diverted. Replate currently supports cities across the U.S., including the Bay Area, New York City, and Los Angeles, and has a budding presence in the United Arab Emirates.