The two have developed an online tool that helps turn leftovers into actual meals

Jun 9, 2014 11:09 GMT  ·  By
Google and Sainsbury's launch online tool intended to help reduce food waste
   Google and Sainsbury's launch online tool intended to help reduce food waste

Together with Internet giant Google, supermarket chain Sainsbury's has recently developed an online tool that it hopes will deliver significant benefits as far as protecting the environment is concerned by making it easier for people not to waste food.

Recent figures show that, each year, people in the United Kingdom alone throw away about 4.2 million tonnes of food and drink that are still very much suited for consumption, Business Green informs.

Quite a lot of resources go into making this food and drink, not to mention the fact that people pay money for it before deciding to throw it in the trash can. Hence, it is no wonder that disposing of it without any second thoughts is considered wasteful.

The online tool developed by supermarket chain Saisbury's in collaboration with Google aims to solve this problem by presenting people with an easy way to turn leftovers into actual meals instead of throwing them away.

As detailed in the video below – which you might want to check out, provided that you have some time to spare – the online tool's name is Food Rescue, and it works pretty much like a recipe generator, Google and Sainsbury's explain.

In a nutshell, here is what people who want to use it to improve on their ecological footprint have to do: input up to nine ingredients, i.e. stuff they have lying around in their fridge or pantries and have no idea what to do with, and wait for Food Rescue to cough out a recipe.

The supermarket chain and the Internet giant promise that the recipes their Food Rescue online tool will provide them with are all tasty and healthy, and range from simple snacks for one to meals that are complex and impressive enough to be appropriate for a family dinner.

Interestingly enough, the online tool also allows people to keep tabs on how much food and money they save whenever they use the Food Rescue tool to cook their next meal, what the most popular recipes are at any given moment, and what ingredient is the one in most need of rescue in an area.

Commenting on the development of this tool, Sarah Warby with Sainsbury's has said, “Shopping habits have really changed. Families are savvier than ever, looking for practical help to make the most of the food in their cupboards and fridges. We know that confidence and know-how can really help people reduce the amount of food they throw away.”