Interview with Alina Swirski, Country Manager of Too Good To Go Switzerland

PATRICK ROTH: Why is sustainability so important in the food industry?

ALINA SWIRSKI: In Switzerland, food is responsible for just under one-third of environmental pollution. Food waste in particular has a negative impact on our environment. Because when we throw away food, we also lose the resources that were used for it on the way from the field to the plate, for example for processing, transport or cooling. We can all contribute to conserving the environment's resources and wasting less food, regardless of whether we are producers, restaurateurs, retailers or consumers. Only if we all fight together against food waste, we can make a difference!

PATRICK ROTH: What are some of the reasons businesses don't participate?

ALINA SWIRSKI: Many companies think that they do not record food waste or that the quantity is too small to cooperate with Too Good To Go. However, many businesses do lose some of the food they produce or sell, and it is worthwhile to work with us to save it from going to waste, starting with any quantity.

PATRICK ROTH: How do you deal with companies that do not want to participate in Too Good To Go?

ALINA SWIRSKI: Too Good To Go creates what we call a win-win situation: users get delicious food at a reduced price, the partner businesses attract new customers and generate additional revenue, and environmental resources are conserved. The concept is so simple and sensible that we experience few contradictions or are able to resolve them in discussions with the companies.

PATRICK ROTH: The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the Supply Chain Act from Germany will play a central role in the next 10 years. What impact will this have on Too Good To Go?

ALINA SWIRSKI: We at Too Good To Go are pursuing the same goal as the United Nations. So we want to inspire and move all people to fight against food waste. Our app is one of many anti-food waste solutions, but to stop food waste altogether, we all need to pitch in. So in addition to running the Too Good To Go app, we invest heavily in raising awareness about food waste. We provide information about the causes of food waste, educate about impacts, try to provide tips, and drive campaigns and initiatives such as the WAW Brands Initiative or "Often Good for Longer." While the WAW Brands Initiative focuses on raising awareness among employees and customers of food-related companies, "Often Longer Good" aims to work with food producers to sustainably change the perception of the shelf life of products with a best-before date.

PATRICK ROTH: In 2017 you won the EcoDesign Award in Germany! You see yourself as a social impact company. What can we understand by that?

ALINA SWIRSKI: As a Social Impact Company, we pursue a corporate mindset that takes the common good into account. The B Corp certification by the B Lab Foundation, which we received in 2020, demonstrates Too Good To Go's positive social and environmental impact on society. We are proud to be part of a community that wants to use its business as a force for good!

PATRICK ROTH: Why should a person download the Too Good To Go app?

ALINA SWIRSKI: Using the Too Good To Go app is a quick and easy way to do something good for the environment, because less food is wasted. At the same time, users benefit from fine food at a reduced price and may get to know new businesses in their own neighborhood. So download the app now!