Whole Foods to install smart food waste bins from Mill starting in 2027 | TechCrunch

"Food waste startup Mill said Tuesday that it has inked a deal with Amazon to deploy its bins in Whole Foods produce departments across the country starting in 2027. Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund is also investing in the startup, though it did not disclose the amount. The company has raised a total of $250 million to date, according to an Axios report."

"Food waste is a big problem. About 10% of all food - 43 billion pounds, according to one 2014 study - is tossed every year at U.S. grocery stores. For an industry that operates on thin margins, every pound thrown out is a missed opportunity and adds to a store's carbon footprint."

"Mill is hoping that its sensor-laden bins can gather enough data to help Whole Foods reduce the amount of produce it throws out. After the bins have dehydrated and ground the food waste, the waste will be turned into chicken feed that'll be shipped to Whole Foods' private label egg suppliers."

Mill will deploy sensor-laden bins in Whole Foods produce departments across the country starting in 2027. Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund is investing in Mill, and the startup has raised $250 million to date. U.S. grocery stores discard about 10% of food—approximately 43 billion pounds annually—creating lost revenue for thin-margin retailers and increasing store carbon footprints. Mill's bins collect data to help reduce produce waste. The bins dehydrate and grind discarded produce, and the processed waste will be converted into chicken feed for Whole Foods' private label egg suppliers.

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