waste2zero Awards | Food Waste & Sustainability Awards UK

waste2zero foodservice waste management and prevention awards

About the Awards

The waste2zero Awards are a leading UK recognition programme dedicated to tackling waste across the foodservice and hospitality sector. From food waste and packaging to recycling and resource management, the awards celebrate organisations delivering measurable impact and driving innovation across the supply chain.

Waste remains endemic and one of the biggest global challenges today. In the out of home sector, arguably the two biggest areas of waste are food and packaging. Food is still wasted at every stage of the supply chain – much of it before it even reaches the table – whilst packaging – a necessary evil for the food industry in its current form – creates its own environmental issues with production and disposal.

The plastic element of this is of course the recent and current bête noire, and the debate over single-use rages on. Evidence of our profligacy proliferates the oceans with the resulting microplastics unnervingly being shown to be entering the food chain. A type of closed loop we would care to avoid!

Much best practice is in evidence; but an unacceptable waste culture also remains prevalent.

The objective of waste2zero – the first awards of its kind in the sector and now in its sixth year – is to specifically give the out of home industry a platform to showcase best practice and recognise excellence in this vital area.

Entries are judged by a panel of industry specialists so if you are an organisation that is proud of an initiative or achievement in the area of waste prevention and management, we would urge you to enter.

Schedule

Deadline for entries

TBC

Shortlist Announcement

TBC

Awards Dinner

TBC

Entry categories

Best Recycling or Up-cycling Project Award

This category focuses on recycling and upcycling projects and initiatives in either the public or private sector.
The entry must demonstrate the use of effective solutions to embrace waste prevention, reuse and recycling and how waste prevention/reuse and recycling has been embedded into business practice.
The project must demonstrate change that has been delivered, including data and evidence of impact where possible.
The entry has to outline the initiative, measurable deliverables and how the initiative could set an example to the wider community.

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)

This category focuses specifically on initiatives that have yielded impressive results in preventing non-food waste.
The entry must clearly demonstrate how the creation of waste has been avoided and include data and evidence of impact (e.g. cost, weight, carbon, time, material reduction). Where relevant, it should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as staff engagement or positive customer feedback.
Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to the project’s success.
The entry must demonstrate how processes have been re-thought and/or redesigned, plus any changes in purchasing and work in the supply chain, as well as at an operational level.

Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award

This category focuses specifically on initiatives that have yielded impressive results in preventing food waste in hospitality and foodservice operational settings.
The entry must clearly demonstrate how the creation of waste has been avoided and include data and evidence of impact (e.g. weight, cost, carbon). Entries should indicate whether food waste measurement was undertaken, which waste streams were measured (e.g. prep, plate, spoilage, meat) and describe the measurement approach, findings, actions taken and the results of these actions.
Where relevant, entries should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as staff engagement or positive customer feedback.
Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to the project’s success.
Entrants must demonstrate how processes have been re-thought and/or redesigned, plus any changes in purchasing and work in the supply chain, as well as at an operational level.

Best Waste Project Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Award

This category focuses on the execution of the most effective communications and stakeholder engagement strategy as part of a waste and resources project.
Entrants must clearly demonstrate who was targeted and why.
Entrants must provide details on how the project was executed, and how the campaign affected cultural and behavioural change.
Entrants should include data and evidence of impact where possible.
Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.

Food Redistribution Award

This category focuses on initiatives of effective and innovation food redistribution projects.
Entrants must provide details on the project objectives, as well as details on how the project was executed.
Entrants must demonstrate an environmental and social impact of their food redistribution projects, providing as much data and evidence as possible (e.g. meals saved, people fed, costs, carbon).
Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.
If relevant, entries should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as community involvement.

Best Closed Loop Project Award

This category is open to any waste management, recycling, or resource efficiency project that has delivered significant and quantifiable reductions in the amount of waste generated and furthered the circular economy by the closing of loops in the supply chain and operations.
The category focuses on projects that have not just mitigated waste levels and have delivered broader financial and competitive benefits, but have also helped to engage employees with circular economy issues.
Entrants must provide details on the project objectives, as well as details on how the project was executed.
Entrants should include data and evidence of impact where possible.
Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.
If relevant, entries should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as staff engagement, positive customer feedback.

Best Waste Reduction Technology Award

This category specifically focuses on technology that can enable significant waste reduction.
Entries should be able to demonstrate how the technology will lead to or has led to significant waste reduction.
This category can be entered by technology businesses that have created waste reduction products or services, as well as organisations that have utilised the technology of others to demonstrably reduce waste.
The entry must describe the technology, how it can/or has been used, what its impacts are and the benefits delivered, including data and evidence of where possible.
Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.

Best Resource Management Business of the Year Award

This category focuses on fresh thinking and innovation in foodservice sector waste management to improve resource management, waste prevention, reuse, recycling etc.
Entrants should be able to demonstrate how good resource management is ingrained into company ethos, and how the company’s resource saving approach has had a tangible impact in its operations/for clients, as well as influencing wider industry.
Entrants should include data and evidence of impact where possible.
Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.

Special Achievement Award

This category focuses on an individual who has dedicated demonstrable and extraordinary effort to the advancement of the waste agenda in foodservice and the development of more sustainable waste solutions and/or business models.

Submit your entry

Winners and highly commended

2025

The 2025 Winners and Highly Commended entries in their chosen categories are as follows.

Best Recycling or Upcycling Project Award
Sponsored by CIWM

Winner: Aggora
Highly Commended: Grupo Avinea

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Notpla
Highly Commended: ESS

Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland
Highly Commended: Fooditude

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award
Sponsored by Compass Group UK & I

Winner: Subway
Highly Commended: Zest Recycle

Food Redistribution Award
Presented by Valpak

Winner: FareShare
Highly Commended: Harper Adams University

Best Closed Loop Project Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Winner: Southern Water
Highly Commended: Sysco with Reconomy Connect

Best Resource Management Business of the Year
Presented by Reconomy Connect

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland
Highly Commended: Aramark UK

2024

The 2024 Winners and Highly Commended entries in their chosen categories are as follows.

Best Recycling or Upcycling Project Award
Sponsored by CIWM

Winner: Bunzl Catering Supplies
Highly Commended: Azzurri Group

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Azzurri Group
Highly Commended: Levy UK

Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Elior
Highly Commended: Eurest

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Winner: Greene King Brewing & Retailing
Highly Commended: Azzurri Group

Food Redistribution Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: KFC UK&I
Highly Commended: Compass Group UK & I

Best Closed Loop Project Award
Sponsored by CERVE

Winner: Nestlé Professional
Highly Commended: Apetito & ISS Healthcare

Best Waste Reduction Technology Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & I

Winner: The Wonki Collective
Highly Commended: Elior

Best Resource Management Business of the Year
Sponsored by Oil Chef

Winner: Zest Recycle
Highly Commended: Eurest

The Special Achievement Award 2024
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Paul Anderson, Meiko UK & I

2023

The 2023 Winners and Highly Commended entries in their chosen categories are as follows.

Best Recycling or Upcycling Project Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Highly Commended: Wagamama

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Gather & Gather at BUPA
Highly Commended: Event Cup Solutions with Meiko UK

Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award
Sponsored by Novati

Winner: Eurest
Highly Commended: Winnow

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Winner: Wrap
Highly Commended: Zest Recycling

Food Redistribution Award
Sponsored by Reconomy

Winner: KFC UK&I
Highly Commended: Amadeus at NEC

Best Closed Loop Project Award
Sponsored by CIWM

Winner: Olleco with Arla Foods
Highly Commended: Grupo Avinea

Best Waste Reduction Technology Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Nestlé UK
Highly Commended: Cauli

Best Resource Management Business of the Year
Sponsored by Compass UK&I

Winner: Novati
Highly Commended: Restaurant Associates

The Special Achievement Award 2023
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Dave Gudgeon, Novati

Winner: Compass UK & Ireland
Runner Up: EY with Global Facilities Service Provider

BEST WASTE PREVENTION PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)
Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland
Runner Up: Lexington Catering

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PRIVATE SECTOR)
Sponsored by Huhtamaki

Winner: Brakes
Runner Up: Nestle Professional

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PUBLIC SECTOR)

Winner: Klockner Pentaplast

BEST PRACTICE IN LOGISTICS

Winner: Fowler Welch
Runner Up: Bidfood

FOOD REDISTRIBUTION AWARD

Winner: Innocent Drinks
Runner Up: Fowler Welch

BEST CLOSED LOOP PROJECT AWARD
Sponsored by Winnow

Winner: Vegware
Runner Up: Klockner Pentaplast

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (FOOD)

Winner: Vacherin

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: EY with Global Facilities Service Provider

BEST PRODUCT, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION AWARD

Winner: Panda Packaging
Runner Up: Winnow

BEST WASTE PROJECT COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AWARD
Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: ISS UK
Runner Up: Sodexo UK & Ireland

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner: Andrew Shakman, Leanpath
Runner Up: Peter Goodwin, Simply Cups

2018

Our congratulations to all finalists. Those receiving applause were as follows:

BEST WASTE PREVENTION PROJECT AWARD (FOOD)

Sponsored by kp

Winner: Cranswick

Runner Up: LeanPath

BEST WASTE PREVENTION PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)

Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: Gather & Gather

Runner Up: EY with ISS

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PRIVATE SECTOR)

Sponsored by Leanpath

Winner: KPMG

Runner Up: Café Spice Namaste

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PUBLIC SECTOR)

Presented by WRAP

Winner: Bristol Waste Company

Runner Up: kp

RECYCLED OR UPCYCLED PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented by FPA

Winner: James Cropper

FOOD REDISTRIBUTION AWARD

Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: St.Monica Trust

Runner Up: Cranswick

BEST CLOSED LOOP PROJECT AWARD

Sponsored by Winnow

Winner: Canary Wharf Management

Runner Up: Vegware

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (FOOD)

Sponsored by Bidfood

Winner: LeanPath

Runner Up: BaxterStorey

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)

Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: EY with ISS

Runner Up: Vegware

BEST PRODUCT, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION AWARD

Sponsored by RPC-bpi

Winner: Waterscan with Greene King

Runner Up: Colpac

BEST WASTE PROJECT COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AWARD

Sponsored by Coca-Cola European Partners

Winner: ALDI with SWRnewstar

Runner Up: Bristol Waste Company

THE 2018 SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner: Lubna Edwards of kp