Whole Foods to install smart food waste bins from Mill starting in 2027

Whole Foods plans to install smart food waste bins from the startup Mill in its produce departments nationwide starting in 2027. Mill, which has raised $250 million to date and received investment from Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund (amount undisclosed), aims to tackle the significant issue of food waste in grocery stores. In the U.S., approximately 10% of all food—around 43 billion pounds annually—is discarded at grocery stores, representing both a lost economic opportunity and an increased carbon footprint. The smart bins developed by Mill are equipped with sensors to collect data on food waste, enabling Whole Foods to better understand and reduce produce waste. After collecting the waste, the bins dehydrate and grind it, converting the byproduct into chicken feed. This feed will then be supplied to Whole Foods’ private label egg producers, creating a circular system that minimizes waste and supports sustainability efforts within the supply chain.