When IKEA UK first partnered with Winnow over ten years ago, the goal was straightforward: help one of the world's most recognisable retailers understand - and reduce - the food waste happening in its kitchens.
Today, we're proud to announce that IKEA UK has saved over £14 million in food costs through its use of Winnow technology over the past decade. Alongside those savings, the partnership has reduced carbon emissions equivalent to taking 2,300 cars off the road - a result that reflects not just operational efficiency, but a genuine commitment to doing business more responsibly.
A Partnership Built on Data and Purpose
Winnow's AI-powered technology was deployed across IKEA UK's food operations to automatically track what gets thrown away - capturing the item, weight, and cost in real time. That data gives IKEA Food teams the insight to take simple, targeted action: adjusting production, refining ordering, reducing over-preparation.
The numbers speak for themselves. Globally, IKEA has cut food waste in its kitchens by 60% since 2017, preventing the equivalent of 47.5 million meals globally from going to waste - hitting the UN's 2030 target to halve food waste ahead of schedule.
Winnow partners with IKEA in the UK and globally to help coworkers track and reduce their food waste. Using the same technology found in driverless cars, Winnow’s AI can accurately identify over 1,000 food items. Teams then receive reporting which pinpoints waste areas. This gives kitchens the visibility they need to make operational changes that prevent waste happening in the future.
Why This Matters
The UK wastes an estimated 10.2 million tonnes of food and drink every year. The hospitality and foodservice sector alone discards around 800,000 tonnes annually, representing approximately £3.2 billion in losses. The business case for acting is clear - but so is the broader responsibility.
From a climate change perspective WWF estimates that food waste contributes as much as 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If we’re serious about creating a more sustainable future, we simply have to solve the food waste problem.
IKEA and Winnow share a belief that the food industry can, and must, do better. Cutting food waste isn't just about cost - it's about using resources wisely, reducing emissions, and helping build a food system that works for people and the planet.
Reaching £14 million in savings over ten years is a milestone worth celebrating. But for both teams, it's also a reminder of how much further we can go together.
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