---
title: Can table scraps save the planet?
description: Food startups are embracing the circular economy by repurposing food waste.
---

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# [Can table scraps save the planet?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/05052022-food-waste)

 Written by [Mia Sullivan](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/mia-sullivan) | May 5, 2022 8:29:28 AM

There are many culprits of climate change, but a big one is food waste.

According to the UN Environment Programme, food waste [makes up](https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unep-food-waste-index-report-2021) 8%-10% of greenhouse gas emissions, and accounts for **$940B** in [annual economic losses](https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/international-efforts-wasted-food-recovery) globally. Yikes.

#### **Enter the circular economy…**

… which refers to repurposing waste rather than tossing it to a landfill.

While the concept applies to various industries (e.g., [fashion](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/5-ways-the-circular-economy-will-transform-your-fashion-habits/), [tech](https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/06/grover-grabs-330m-to-double-down-on-the-circular-economy-with-consumer-electronics-subscriptions/)), the circular food space is thriving by bringing table scraps back to life.

Examples include:

- **Loop Mission,** which buys extra and/or ugly produce that would otherwise go untouched, and squeezes it into juices and other products.
- **Pulp Pantry,** which takes veggie pulp that’s typically discarded post-juicing, and turns it into chips.
- **Silo,** a fine dining [restaurant](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-29/food-waste-minded-restaurant-thrives-in-east-london?srnd=premium&sref=3Ac2yX40) in London, which repurposes would-be food waste to create new dishes.

#### **Besides making new food…**

… other startups are building tech to help chefs track their waste. Winnow, which makes software-enabled kitchen tools, helps commercial kitchens track waste to improve planning for the future — it’s already [saved](https://www.winnowsolutions.com/product/food-waste-management-software) **36.5m** meals.

While munching on old table scraps might not sound appetizing, it’s probably not as bad as you think. Last year, Mark Cuban picked [Pulp Pantry](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/04/holiday-gift-guide-2021-mark-cuban-will-give-out-healthy-snacks.html) as 1 of his 5 favorite holiday gifts.

**BTW,** for more Pulp Pantry and Cuban, check out “[Shark Tank](https://pulppantry.com/blogs/insideourpantry)” tomorrow, where founder Kaitlin Mogentale is set to appear.

[View full post](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/05052022-food-waste)

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