Lidl Targets 70% Food Waste Reduction By 2030 With New Redistribution Trial For Surplus Food

Lidl has raised its food waste reduction target to 70% by the end of 2030 after already beating its 2025 goal of 40%, launching redistribution and circular-economy trials to accelerate progress and drive lasting impact for the environment and the community.

Image: Lidl GB

Coinciding with the start of Food Waste Action Week, Lidl has raised its five-year target from 50% to an ambitious 70% reduction.

“We've made good strides, but we know we can do more,” pointed out Matt Juden-Bloomfield, Head of Sustainability at Lidl GB, in a press release.

To that end, Lidl said it will extend its partnership with Neighbourly through a Surplus Saviours trial which will take place in the Midlands throughout this summer, running alongside existing in‑store and community initiatives.

The Surplus Saviours redistribution scheme will allow registered individuals, including volunteers and customers, to collect unsold surplus food during extended collection windows.

Lidl expects to redistribute more than 5,000 tonnes of food to people in need by providing access to fresh and chilled items approaching their use‑by date later in the evening. 

Accelerating Efforts

Lidl’s new Surplus Saviours trial builds on the discounter’s existing partnerships with registered charities, and aims to help even more people support their local communities.

To further drive food waste reduction, Lidl is also piloting the diversion of inedible fresh bakery products in the Peterborough region into animal feed, strengthening the retailer’s circular economy approach.

“We have increased our targets to ensure we remain accountable and also introduced some exciting new trials to take things to the next level,” Lidl’s Juden-Bloomfield said.

Working closely with WRAP to identify practical, data‑driven ways to cut waste, for the past 10 years Lidl has been an active and engaged signatory of WRAP’s UK Food & Drink Pact. 

"It has been fantastic seeing them [Lidl] offer loose fruits and vegetables and adopting best practice labelling," remarked Estelle Herszenhorn, Director of Food System Transformation at WRAP, adding that both practices help shoppers reduce their household food waste.

"In-store, Lidl GB's initiative on matching bakery products with demand aligns with WRAP's priority of preventing food waste before it occurs. We are delighted to see increased paths for redistribution where food is surplus – a move WRAP also encourages.”

Since 2016, Lidl’s Feed it Back scheme with Neighbourly has donated 50 million meals from surplus food. 

More recently, Lidl introduced Too Good to Waste boxes, containing items that are no longer considered at their perfect best, which are available in all stores up until midday, while stocks last.

The discounter positions these efforts as part of its long‑term sustainability commitment in Great Britain.

Read about Lidl's food waste approach here.