Retail
enterpriseTarget: Supermarket Chain
If you are a supermarket chain dealing with high volumes of expired stock — this project developed a Circular Retail Playbook that helps shift consumer buying habits to reduce waste.
FOODWISE · Project
Behavioral Tools and Toolkits to Reduce Food Waste and Increase Circular Consumption
foodPrototypeTRL 3
Imagine everyone wants to save the planet, but they still throw away half their groceries. This project figures out the emotional triggers that actually make people change their shopping habits. It's like a guidebook for stores and cities to nudge customers toward zero-waste choices without them feeling forced.
By the numbers
14
partners
6
countries
43%
industry ratio
The business problem
What needed solving
Companies struggle to turn consumer environmental awareness into actual purchasing behavior, leading to persistent food waste and inefficient circular systems.
The solution
What was built
A suite of tools including a Consumption Pattern Atlas, Circular Retail Playbook, SME Circularity Toolkit, Citizen Engagement Toolkit, and a Circularity Impact Dashboard.
Audience
Who needs this
Grocery retail chainsFood processing SMEsCity waste management authoritiesSustainable consumer goods brands
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Food Production
SMETarget: Food Processing SME
If you are a food processing SME dealing with inefficient resource use — this project developed an SME Circularity Toolkit that provides practical steps to adopt circular business models.
Public Administration
anyTarget: Municipal Waste Department
If you are a municipality dealing with overflowing organic waste bins — this project developed a Citizen Engagement Toolkit to increase local participation in circular food systems.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or price for using these toolkits?
Based on available project data, no pricing or cost information is provided as the project is EU-funded.
Can these solutions be scaled to an industrial level?
Yes, the project aims to deliver scalable results through a consortium of 14 partners and specific toolkits for retailers and SMEs.
Who owns the IP or licensing for the toolkits?
Based on available project data, the project embeds open science, but specific licensing terms for the toolkits are not detailed.
How does this help with EU regulations?
The project supports the Circular Economy Action Plan, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, and the Green Deal.
When will the tools be available for business use?
The project period runs from 2026-06-01 to 2029-05-31, suggesting deliverables will be finalized by 2029.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is well-balanced for commercialization, featuring a 43% industry ratio with 6 industrial partners and 3 SMEs. With 14 partners across 6 countries, the project combines academic research from 4 universities and 2 research centers with practical business application, led by an SME coordinator.
How to reach the team
Contact THE EQUATOR COMPANY SA in Portugal
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to track the release of the Circular Retail Playbook.
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