Norway’s leading food waste champion

The challenges we face

Food waste is a significant and growing global issue. In Norway alone we wasted 417,000 tons of food in 2019, representing 1.3m tons of CO2e. Globally, food waste represents 8% of global GHG emissions, and is recognized by the UN as one of the most important climate initiatives shall we succeed in reaching our climate goals.

 

What is the outcome

Holdbart provides a distribution outlet for products which otherwise would have been wasted, allowing for more efficient use and distribution of food which is already produced and ready for human consumption.

 

Who are the stakeholders

Holdbart is based in Norway, benefitting different stakeholders throughout its ecosystem. First and foremost, it offers a sustainable bargain to its customers, who see savings of 20-90% compared to conventional grocery shopping. As a result, Holdbart helps improve household economics with affordable groceries. Secondly, it provides a practical distribution channel for suppliers looking to sell products which conventional outlets will not buy. In addition, it allows suppliers to continue product innovation as well as produce seasonal products, as Holdbart can distribute failed product launches and surplus production.

 

How big is the effect, and does it last?

In 2020, Holdbart saved ~6,500 tons of food waste, implying ~20k tons of CO2e saved. Furthermore, it conducted ~1.5M transactions, supporting families, students, and other consumers in reducing their spending levels on groceries. Holdbart itself had internal waste levels of only ~0.4% during the same period, ensuring nearly all its inventory reach Norwegian households – as they are supposed to.

 

If Holdbart didn’t exist…

Without Holdbart, a significant amount of food and retail products would go to waste which otherwise could have been sold to the consumer. As a result, individuals and families would spend significantly more on their regular grocery shopping. Furthermore, food producers and other suppliers would have a cumbersome process to rid themselves of perfectly good products, increasing total levels of food wasted in Norway.

 

The challenges we face

Food waste is a significant and growing global issue. In Norway alone we wasted 417,000 tons of food in 2019, representing 1.3m tons of CO₂e. Globally, food waste represents 8% of global GHG emissions, and is recognized by the UN as one of the most important climate initiatives shall we succeed in reaching our climate goals.

 

What is the outcome

Holdbart provides a distribution outlet for products which otherwise would have been wasted, allowing for more efficient use and distribution of food which is already produced and ready for human consumption.

 

Who are the stakeholders

Holdbart is based in Norway, benefitting different stakeholders throughout its ecosystem. First and foremost, it offers a sustainable bargain to its customers, who see savings of 20-90% compared to conventional grocery shopping. As a result, Holdbart helps improve household economics with affordable groceries. Secondly, it provides a practical distribution channel for suppliers looking to sell products which conventional outlets will not buy. In addition, it allows suppliers to continue product innovation as well as produce seasonal products, as Holdbart can distribute failed product launches and surplus production.

 

How big is the effect, and does it last?

In 2020, Holdbart saved ~6,500 tons of food waste, implying ~20k tons of CO₂e saved. Furthermore, it conducted ~1.5M transactions, supporting families, students, and other consumers in reducing their spending levels on groceries. Holdbart itself had internal waste levels of only ~0.4% during the same period, ensuring nearly all its inventory reach Norwegian households – as they are supposed to.

If Holdbart didn’t exist…

Without Holdbart, a significant amount of food and retail products would go to waste which otherwise could have been sold to the consumer. As a result, individuals and families would spend significantly more on their regular grocery shopping. Furthermore, food producers and other suppliers would have a cumbersome process to rid themselves of perfectly good products, increasing total levels of food wasted in Norway.

 

Impact risk: what can go wrong

Through its website, Holdbart manages personal data and contact details which must be safeguarded. This is dealt with through strict routines and oversight. Additionally, store employees engage in physical work and heavy lifting in the warehouse. To mitigate this, Holdbart continues keeping a strong focus on HSEQ routines and guidelines. Lastly, Holdbart does operate multiple physical stores with a respective carbon footprint but are deliberate in minimizing their environmental impact.

Through its website, Holdbart manages personal data and contact details which must be safeguarded. This is dealt with through strict routines and oversight. Additionally, store employees engage in physical work and heavy lifting in the warehouse. To mitigate this, Holdbart continues keeping a strong focus on HSEQ routines and guidelines. Lastly, Holdbart does operate multiple physical stores with a respective carbon footprint but are deliberate in minimizing their environmental impact.