StillGood: Turning Leftovers into Opportunities

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HOW would you feel if you bought a bag of carrots from Albert Heijn with plans to cook a delicious meal, but university work drained your energy and you never got around to it? A few days later, that once-fresh bag of carrots has turned into a mouldy mess. Frustrating, right? But beyond that frustration, most of us would also feel a pang of guilt for wasting food—something we’ve all been guilty of at one point or another.

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But what if that bag of carrots could have been saved, not just for your next meal, but for someone who could really use it? That’s the idea behind StillGood, a student-run startup created by UvA students with the mission to reduce food waste—one carrot bag at a time! By rethinking how food waste is handled and encouraging people to contribute to the betterment of the environment, StillGood is not only cutting down on waste but also creating a community of conscious consumers.

 

The Problem: Food Waste

 

Almost one third of all food produced in the world goes uneaten, either wasted or expired. Even if 25% of the food is saved, it would be more than enough to feed 870 million malnourished and hungry people (Urban Ethos, n.d.)! 

 

While it might be hard to fathom that throwing away a bag of carrots could contribute to global hunger, the reality is that small acts of food waste, when multiplied across the globe, add up to staggering amounts. Take the Netherlands, for example. In 2020, the average person in the country wasted 116 kg of food (iamexpat.nl, 2022). Even though the Netherlands, along with the rest of the EU, has implemented strict policies to curb food waste, individual contributions still play a role, no matter how small. This is where StillGood steps in!

 

I had the chance to speak with the team behind this brilliant idea: Kiara, Vasanth, Martina, and Sreeram. As student members of the well-known organisation ENACTUS that encourages young entrepreneurial minds to tackle global issues and become leaders of positive social impact. The team decided to work together on this project because it resonates with their shared visions for a more sustainable future of the world. 

 

The Vision Behind StillGood

 

StillGood is designed to simplify the process of reducing food waste by connecting consumers directly in Amsterdam. 

How It Works:

• Users list surplus food on the app (e.g., unopened groceries before a trip).

• The app connects them with nearby individuals who can pick it up and pay a small fee.

• Transactions are verified through a QR code system, ensuring security and legitimacy.

 

Unlike Too Good To Go, which focuses on unsold food from restaurants and stores, StillGood is a C2C (consumer-to-consumer) platform. It helps individuals share food they would otherwise throw away, ensuring fresh ingredients reach someone who can use them instead. It's a fast transaction!

 

The best part? StillGood is free to use! You save money, reduce waste, and contribute to a greener future—a win-win for everyone.

 

Ensuring Trust and Safety 

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Food exchanges require a lot of trust within the community, making it crucial to verify that food is fresh and hasn't been tampered with. StillGood has introduced strict guidelines, as Kiara explained:

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"We only allow consumers to trade packaged food items that typically have an expiration date. For example, when you buy tomatoes, they usually come with an expiry date on the packaging. This helps ensure food safety. In a way, it’s similar to platforms like Vinted, which is an online marketplace designed for the transaction of secondhand clothing. We also have a QR code system to provide an additional layer of verification. When users connect, they scan the QR code, which generates a verification number to confirm the transaction. This system makes sure the person you're dealing with is legitimate and that your money is carefully dealt with."

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Additionally, she mentioned that users can rate their interactions with others, like Uber, ensuring accountability and building trust over time.

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However, she also acknowledged the challenges StillGood faces with legal issues, particularly related to food packaging and consumption laws in the Netherlands. Seeing that food is something we consume daily, it must be handled with a certain level of sensitivity. While contamination remains a concern, Kiara and her team are optimistic and are working day and night to address these challenges, aiming to avoid any breach of trust and maintain credibility within the app.

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Pricing Model: Fair and Accessible

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When asked about the mechanics behind the pricing of goods on the app, Kiara explained that consumers are able to set their own prices for items – but with a catch. A price ceiling is put in place to ensure that the prices of the basic commodities being sold on the app, like a bag of apples, remain reasonable and prevent any profiteering. Sreeram added that the price will also depend on the expiration date of the product. For example, if an item is closer to its expiration date, its price will be lower.

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Overcoming Challenges & Looking Ahead 

 

Despite receiving an encouraging investors innovation award with a reward of € 700 of investment, the team faced challenges in launching StillGood. Without a fully developed application, securing additional funding and resources proved to be a hurdle. However, through field surveys and simulations, they’ve worked to demonstrate the app’s potential and highlight the urgent need for such a platform.

 

Currently focused on building credibility, Martina mentioned that the team has been actively promoting the brand on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. By raising awareness about the app’s vision and engaging a wider audience, they aim to bring StillGood into the spotlight as a meaningful solution to food waste and sustainability.

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Join the Movement!

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Currently in the development phase, they continue to refine their platform, and are actively seeking support. Martina and Sreeram encourage those with skills in computer science and app development to reach out and get involved. They are looking for individuals who can help bring this innovative solution to life, making a tangible impact on reducing food waste. StillGood’s commitment to sustainability and community-driven change is shaping a future where food waste is a thing of the past—one carrot bag at a time!
 

Sources: 

 

Urban Ethos. (n.d.). Food wastage facts. Urban Ethos. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://urbanethos.co/blogs/journal/food-wastage-facts

 

iamexpat.nl. (2022, October 25). Netherlands one of the worst countries in EU for food waste. IamExpat. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/dutch-expat-news/netherlands-one-worst-countries-eu-food-waste