Great British Bin Juice, anyone? Ikea UK taps AI technology and QR codes for food waste reduction push
Ikea UK is introducing Great British Bin Juice, a limited edition apple juice made from surplus British fruit, highlighting the value of food that might otherwise go unused.
A key part of Ikea's food waste reduction efforts has been the use of smart technology developed in partnership with Winnow, a company specialising in commercial waste solutions. Deployed in Ikea kitchens, the AI powered tool tracks what gets thrown away, capturing the item, weight and cost, making it easier for Food teams to take simple, effective action. The retailer says that implementing the technology has saved Ikea UK alone over £14 million in ten years, while reducing carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 2,300 cars off the road.
Each bottle of Great British Bin Juice includes a QR code unlocking 20% off Ikea’s 365+ food storage range. This includes 365+ food containers and lids to help preserve leftovers, as well as a food storage basket with a see through design.
Customers can attend free ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ workshops in participating stores, offering simple tips on storage, meal prep and creative ways to repurpose everyday ingredients. The workshops are free for customers to attend and will run in select stores from 6th to 13th June.
Karen Hughes, Country Food Manager at Ikea UK, says: “We believe good food should always be valued and enjoyed. ‘Great British Bin Juice’ is a fun and simple way to show how ingredients, often overlooked, can be turned into something delicious. But most importantly, it’s about sharing practical solutions that can help individuals make more of the food they already have. When we rethink the value of what’s already in our kitchens, those small daily habits can make a big difference.”
Jen Emerton, Head of Business Engagement at WRAP, comments: “The volume of edible food currently going to waste across the UK represents a significant environmental and economic issue. It also highlights a huge opportunity for innovation. Ikea’s achievement in halving its kitchen waste using a data driven approach is a powerful example of this in action. We welcome approaches that demonstrate the value of treating surplus food as a resource, which is a key part of building a more circular food system.”
Great British Bin Juice will be available at select Ikea stores including Birmingham, Bristol, Wembley, Gateshead, Milton Keynes, Glasgow and London's Oxford Street.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
