How London-Based Companies are Reducing Waste and Promoting Sustainability in the Supply Chain

By Noel Oduory

The sharing and circular economy is a concept that aims to reduce waste, extend the lifespan of products, and promote social and environmental benefits. It is a growing trend in the supply chain sector, as consumers become more aware of the impact of their consumption habits and demand more ethical and sustainable options. In this innovation snapshot, we will explore how London-based companies are innovating in the sharing and circular economy sector, such as reducing food waste, renting storage space, and recyclable packaging.

Olio

Olio is a mobile app that connects neighbours and local businesses to share surplus food and other items. Their location-based app enables people to list and post photos of unwanted items to be shared with others in the same neighbourhood, reducing food waste. Founded in 2015 by Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial-One, Olio had facilitated the sharing of over 100m portions of food and 9m household items as of mid-2023.

Stasher

Described as the “Airbnb of Luggage”, Stasher is a platform that connects travellers and locals who need to store their luggage at nearby hotels and shops that have extra space. Founded in 2015 by Anthony Collias and Jacob Wedderburn-Day, Stasher has a network of over 4300 trusted hotels and shops in Asia, Latin America, North America and Europe.

Freddie’s Flowers 

Freddie’s Flowers is a subscription service that delivers fresh flowers to customers’ doors every week. Founded in 2014 by Freddie Garland, Freddie’s Flowers also has a circular initiative that allows customers to return their used boxes and vases and receive credit for their next delivery, while the used boxes and vases are either reused, recycled, or composted.

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