Rethinking the Way We Handle Food Waste: Our Journey to Smarter Food Recycling Solutions

It’s easy to ignore food waste when you're knee-deep in the hustle of running a kitchen or managing a commercial facility. For us, it was something we knew existed—but didn’t fully understand until we took a step back and looked at what we were really throwing away. The piles of peels, trimmings, expired items, and plate waste weren’t just unpleasant—they were costing us money, time, and our conscience.

That’s when we knew something had to change. What started as a practical need turned into a full shift in how we approached food waste and recycling. And thanks to the team at Hungry Giant, we found the right path forward with real, long-term food recycling solutions.

The Problem We Couldn’t Ignore Anymore

In the beginning, our waste bins were overflowing every other day. It became routine—overfill the bins, call for a pickup, hold our breath while hauling them to the back alley. The worst part? We knew most of the contents didn’t need to end up in landfill.

We tried sorting more, composting on a small scale, even reducing our portion sizes. But these were temporary patches on a much bigger problem.

What we needed was a proper food waste recycling service—one that didn’t just remove the waste, but helped us manage it better from the start.

Finding the Right Partner: Hungry Giant

We came across Hungry Giant through a colleague in the hospitality industry who swore by their systems. At first, we were sceptical. Could equipment and support really make that much of a difference?

Spoiler alert: it did.

Hungry Giant didn’t just offer a cookie-cutter solution. They looked at our actual setup—how much food waste we generated, what kind, and how it flowed through our day-to-day operations. From there, they helped us implement tailored food recycling solutions that worked specifically for our kitchen.

The difference was almost immediate.

How the System Changed Everything

We installed one of their food waste dehydrators along with a proper waste separation setup. Suddenly, things became easier. Staff didn’t have to drag out heavy bins every few hours. The kitchen smelled cleaner. We weren’t constantly rushing to call waste collection companies.

More importantly, we were wasting less.

The food waste recycling service we now use doesn’t just pick up what we can’t reuse—it helps us process and reduce what we throw out in the first place. Our dehydrator shrinks our food waste by nearly 80%, turning it into a dry, odourless material that’s easier and cheaper to remove. In some cases, we’re even exploring options to re-purpose that material for composting or energy generation.

Beyond the Kitchen: Environmental and Financial Benefits

Reducing food waste isn’t just good for operations—it’s good for the planet. What shocked us most was learning how much greenhouse gas is produced from organic waste rotting in landfills. It was never something we thought about before, but once we saw the numbers, we couldn’t unseen them.

By switching to a structured food waste and recycling system, we’ve cut down on waste-related emissions, reduced our landfill contribution, and saved significantly on waste collection costs. And those savings add up fast—especially for businesses that handle large volumes of food every day.

Staff Training and Culture Shift

One of the underrated benefits of the change? Our team.

When we first introduced the new system, there were a few raised eyebrows. But once the staff saw how easy it was to use—and how much cleaner their workspace became—they got on board quickly. Some even started suggesting their own improvements. Food waste tracking turned into a bit of a challenge, with departments competing to see who could waste the least.

What we thought would be a logistical fix turned out to be a cultural one, too.

Advice for Other Businesses

If you’re still managing food waste with the old “bin-and-forget” method, trust us—you’re leaving a lot on the table. From cost savings and cleanliness to sustainability and team morale, investing in food recycling solutions is worth every cent.

Here’s what we’d recommend:

• Start by auditing your waste – Take a week to measure how much you’re throwing away and what type it is. The results might surprise you.
• Talk to a team like Hungry Giant – Don’t go it alone. A good food waste recycling service will help you choose the right tools and systems based on your actual needs.
• Make it easy for your staff – Clear labels, simple equipment, and a bit of training go a long way.
• Track your progress – Once you start recycling and reducing, keep track of your savings and results. You’ll stay motivated when you see the numbers.

Final Thoughts

We didn’t expect food waste to be the area where we’d make one of our biggest improvements—but here we are. Thanks to Hungry Giant’s approach to food waste and recycling, we’re running cleaner, saving more, and doing our part for the environment.

It’s not just about getting rid of waste. It’s about running smarter, cleaner, and with more purpose. If you’re in the food industry and haven’t explored a better way to handle your scraps, now’s the time.

👉 Visit https://hungrygiant.com to learn more and see how their food waste recycling services can help your business, just like they helped ours.