Following a successful pilot programme, Inver has announced the expansion of its partnership with Too Good To Go, the global marketplace dedicated to reducing food waste, to all 18 of its company-owned and operated service stations across Ireland. This move reflects Inver’s commitment to sustainability and offers customers affordable access to surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.

Since the initial launch in November 2024, Inver reports that over 1,000 “Surprise Bags” of surplus food have been saved through the initiative, corresponding to an avoidance of approximately 2,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions. Customers can purchase these bags via the Too Good To Go app for €3.99 each, collecting items such as breads, pastries, deli sandwiches, salads, fruits, and other groceries at designated times. New participating locations include Inver service stations in Waterford, Laois, Carlow, and Clare.

Billy Massey, Head of Retail Convenience at Inver, highlighted the dual benefit of the partnership, stating that it is “an easy and practical way to reduce food waste across our business, whilst also offering great value to our customers.” He noted the overwhelmingly positive customer response to Surprise Bags, describing it as a “win-win solution for everyone.”

Sophie Trueman, Country Director at Too Good To Go UK and Ireland, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded collaboration, saying: “Their commitment to tackling food waste shows how businesses can lead on sustainability while also creating real value for their customers and communities.” The app-based model allows users to secure surplus food at a fraction of its retail price, providing a practical way to reduce waste while supporting consumer budgets.

Inver’s initiative is part of a growing trend among retailers and food suppliers in Ireland to address food waste through similar partnerships with Too Good To Go. For example, ALDI Ireland has also joined the platform, offering Surprise Bags at €3.99 as part of its efforts to eliminate 60 tonnes of food waste through 2023. Meanwhile, SuperValu has rolled out Surprise Bags in 33 stores with plans for nationwide implementation, and Centra has trialled the programme in selected stores. Other collaborators include Chopped, an ingredient-focused business offering surprise bags averaging €4.99, and Tirlán, which has introduced a consumer awareness campaign around “Use By” and “Best Before” labels to reduce premature disposal of food products.

These initiatives align with wider government efforts to reduce food waste nationally. The Irish Government’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap encourages innovative private-sector solutions, recognising the environmental impact of food production and waste. Industry data suggests reducing food waste at the retail level plays a critical role in cutting emissions and promoting sustainability across supply chains.

As Inver and other companies continue to integrate food rescue schemes with technology platforms like Too Good To Go, this collaborative model is poised not only to support environmental goals but also to provide consumers with affordable, quality food options that might otherwise be lost.