Lidl Hellas

Food waste is one of the biggest challenges to the global food and environmental system. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 1/3 of the food produced worldwide ends up being lost or wasted, harming the environment, the economy and society. Greece is no exception, with significant losses recorded at all stages of the value chain, from production to consumption. Reducing food waste is directly linked to multiple SDGs and is a critical area for action under the ESG criteria.

Lidl Hellas, recognizing the seriousness of the issue, has developed a single set of initiatives that holistically cover the entire food value chain, aiming to reduce waste by 50% by 2030 (baseline year: 2018). 2024 was a year of strengthening and evolving these actions, with measurable results and the addition of new tools.

The initiative is based on six key pillars:

AutoDispo smart system: innovative forecasting and ordering technology that reduces over-ordering and losses at warehouse and store level.
Discounts on short-life products (FATHER): second chance on foods that are nearing expiry, with environmental and social benefits.
"Choose me" bag: promoting products with visual defects, promoting sustainable nutrition and changing consumer behaviour.
Responsible product stewardship flow: systematic redistribution of food to NGOs such as the Smile of the Child and the Food Bank.
Utilisation of organic waste: conversion into fertiliser, biogas and animal feed, reducing CO₂e emissions.
Employee education and awareness: through webinars and internal communication, a culture of prevention is reinforced.

Lidl Hellas' initiative to reduce food waste is an integrated strategic intervention, aiming at prevention, responsible consumption and strengthening social cohesion, demonstrating in practice that sustainability is a daily commitment.

Lidl Hellas' initiative to reduce food waste is addressed to a multi-level and strategically selected audience, aiming at prevention, awareness raising and activation at all stages of the food value chain.

Lidl Hellas employees
Through targeted educational activities, such as webinars on food loss & food waste, environmental awareness and responsible professional behaviour are enhanced. Employees act as agents of change, applying waste prevention practices in the daily operation of stores and warehouses.
Consumers
Through actions such as discounts on short products ("FΘINOTERO") and the "Choose Me" bag, Lidl Hellas promotes a change in consumer behaviour, reinforcing responsible consumption and the acceptance of products that remain of high quality but are often discarded for aesthetic reasons.
Vulnerable social groups
Through cooperation with organisations such as the Smile of the Child and the Food Bank, Lidl Hellas directly supports people in need by redistributing food that cannot be sold but is suitable for consumption.
Suppliers and partners
The implementation of the AutoDispo system enhances cooperation with suppliers, promoting accurate forecasting and ordering of quantities, reducing losses at all stages of the supply chain.

The initiative aims to create a culture of food waste prevention, with a multiplier effect on employees, consumers, partners and society, enhancing sustainable development at all levels.

Lidl Hellas' actions to reduce food loss and waste are not isolated actions, but a long-term, dynamic and continuously evolving programme. The implementation started gradually from 2021-2022 and is reinforced every year with new initiatives and improvements. 2024 was a milestone year, with significant measurable results, but the effort does not stop here. Reducing food waste is a strategic goal for us with a long-term horizon, which we approach with a holistic strategy and an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.

Soon, Lidl Hellas is preparing a comprehensive information and awareness campaign to highlight this overall effort and inspire even more people to join us in the ongoing battle against food waste.

Lidl Hellas implements a comprehensive programme to reduce food waste at all stages of the value chain, from ordering and storage to consumption and redistribution. The initiative is part of the strategic pillar "Resource Conservation" and is a key pillar of the company's environmental responsibility.

The programme includes a set of innovative and practical actions, such as the AutoDispo system for rational ordering, discounts on short products labelled "FTHINOTERO", the "Choose Me" fruit and vegetable bag, as well as the systematic redistribution of food in cooperation with organisations such as the Smile of the Child and the Food Bank.

At the same time, Lidl Hellas applies responsible management of organic waste, converting raw materials into fertilizers, biogas and animal feed, while it enhances the education and awareness of employees through thematic webinars on food waste.

The initiative stands out for its holistic approach, combining technological innovation, responsible consumption, social contribution and circular economy. It is being implemented at a nationwide level, aiming to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, contributing substantially to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the strengthening of sustainable nutrition in Greece.

Very soon, Lidl Hellas is preparing a new communication campaign that will highlight all these actions and activities, through videos and creative materials, in a way that will surprise and inspire, further enhancing public awareness around the issue of food waste.

Because we want our actions to have continuity and meaningful impact - not only for today, but also for the tomorrow we are building together.

Lidl Hellas recognises that the challenge of food waste requires collective action and multi-level partnerships. For this reason, it has developed strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, NGOs and organisations specialised in food security and environmental awareness.

In particular:

The Smile of the Child and the Food Bank are key partners of Lidl Hellas for the donation of food that is no longer marketable but remains suitable for consumption. Through this cooperation, significant quantities of food are redistributed to vulnerable social groups, strengthening social cohesion and reducing organic waste at the same time.
In terms of awareness raising and education, Lidl Hellas collaborated with the environmental organisation We4all to organise thematic webinars entitled "Food Loss & Food Waste", addressed to its employees. Through this action, the internal culture of sustainability was strengthened and the active participation of employees in the prevention of food waste was encouraged, both in their professional and personal space.

These partnerships reinforce Lidl Hellas' cross-sectoral approach, strengthening its social impact and enhancing the effectiveness of its actions. At the same time, they are an example of good practice for the retail sector, proving that cooperation with specialised bodies can offer measurable, sustainable solutions with multiplier benefits for society and the environment.

The success of Lidl Hellas' actions to reduce food waste would not have been possible without the active participation of its employees. Through their daily efforts they contribute decisively to the implementation of the actions, to the formulation and implementation of the prevention systems and mechanisms, as well as to their continuous optimisation. At the same time, through their participation in educational webinars on Food Loss & Food Waste, their environmental awareness and internal culture of sustainability are strengthened. Consumers themselves also play an important role, actively supporting these initiatives through their choices and purchases, contributing together to reducing food waste and promoting more responsible and sustainable consumption.

Lidl Hellas' actions to reduce food waste are implemented on a nationwide level, covering the entire food value chain. They start from our 231 stores and warehouses across the country, where prevention systems such as AutoDispo and actions such as discounts on short-life products and the "Choose Me" bag are implemented. The action extends beyond the point of sale, reaching the social support structures where the products end up through our partnerships with organisations such as the Food Bank and the Smile of the Child. Through this network, food that is no longer marketable but remains suitable for consumption reaches people in need in various regions of Greece. Thus, the impact of the actions is not limited geographically, but reaches a wide range of local communities, enhancing social cohesion and sustainable development at national level.

Lidl Hellas' holistic approach to reducing food waste has already yielded measurable and substantial results, having a positive impact on both the environment and society. In 2024, through the AutoDispo system, a 5% reduction in the sufficiency index and -0.56% reduction in unvalued food in warehouses was achieved, preventing the wastage of thousands of products. At the same time, more than 553 tons of visually defective fruits and vegetables were rescued through the "Choose Me" bag, while 17.6 tons of food were distributed through the Food Bank and 144 stores participated in the cooperation with the Smile of the Child. In addition, 7,500 tonnes of organic waste was converted into animal feed, biogas and fertiliser, preventing environmental pollution. The action is also extended internally, with 31 employees participating in training webinars, reinforcing the culture of sustainability. The impact also reaches consumers, whose choices and purchases actively support the initiatives, helping to reduce waste and promote responsible consumption. These actions, embedded in the strategic pillar "Conservation of Resources", are linked to multiple Sustainable Development Goals and ESG criteria, demonstrating that sustainability can have a real, multiplier impact when put into practice.

Lidl Hellas' strategic approach to reducing food waste brings significant benefits to the organisation itself, enhancing its sustainable business operation and social acceptance. Through the implementation of innovative systems such as AutoDispo, supply chain optimization, inventory reduction and loss reduction are achieved, leading to increased efficiency and resource savings. At the same time, strengthening the corporate culture of sustainability through employee participation in training activities strengthens internal cohesion and a sense of responsibility. Partnerships with organisations such as the Food Bank and the Children's Smile strengthen the company's social image and consumer confidence, while the positive public response to actions such as discounts on short products and the "Choose Me" bag reinforces Lidl's connection with the values of accessibility, responsibility and innovation. Finally, the reduction of organic waste and CO₂e emissions reinforces compliance with ESG criteria and Sustainable Development Goals, making Lidl Hellas a model of responsible business in the retail sector.