Sales of special “food waste bags” are breaking records in Denmark as rising grocery prices and economic pressure make Danes more resourceful about fighting waste and saving money.
Danes Turning to Food Waste Bags for Savings and Sustainability
More Danes than ever are joining platforms that reduce food waste, driven by both environmental awareness and the need to cut grocery expenses. According to the Danish Food Administration, private households in Denmark still throw away around 235,000 tons of food each year. But a growing number of people are now doing something about it by buying discounted food waste bags from supermarkets and local initiatives like Too Good To Go and Stop Spild Lokalt.
The concept is simple. Shoppers can buy bags filled with surplus food that would otherwise be discarded—often at a third of the regular price. This trend, initially fueled by environmental concerns, is now equally motivated by the sharp rise in food prices across the country.
A Record Number of Danes Reducing Waste
Since its launch a decade ago, Too Good To Go has signed up nearly 3 million users in Denmark. Over 827,000 Danes used the app in the last quarter alone, equivalent to nearly one in five Danes. The service partners with bakeries, supermarkets, and restaurants to sell unsold food at reduced prices.
Supermarket chains like Salling Group, which owns Føtex and Bilka, report a 17 percent growth in sales of food waste bags between 2024 and 2025. Coop Denmark has seen similar trends. Both companies point to customers’ efforts to make household budgets stretch further while still acting sustainably.
At the same time, Stop Spild Lokalt—another grassroots initiative—runs community “food oases,” where surplus groceries are distributed for free or at very low cost. Their founder notes that demand hasn’t slowed at all; instead, the customer base has expanded to include middle-income families who are feeling financial strain.
Everyday Danes Join the Movement
At a food oasis in Næstved, longtime visitors say the number of people collecting surplus groceries has grown noticeably. Participation now includes everyone from students to retirees. Many families, like that of Yasmin Al-Khafaji, say they turned to Stop Spild Lokalt after food bills climbed too high. Feeding a family of four can easily cost over 2,000 kroner per week, pushing ordinary families to look for alternatives that still offer healthy and varied meals.
The bags often include vegetables, bread, cold items, and pantry goods—food that is still fresh but close to its expiration date. For many Danes, this approach not only saves money but also supports a shared responsibility to reduce unnecessary waste.
Changing Habits in Harder Times
The shift toward buying discounted food waste bags reflects wider changes in consumer habits. Even though inflation in Denmark has eased, everyday prices remain higher than before the crisis. Many shoppers now plan their purchases more strategically, skipping expensive items and taking advantage of deals from Too Good To Go and similar programs.
Interestingly, supermarket managers point out that this isn’t just a sign of financial pressure. It also reflects growing awareness of sustainability. Shoppers see reducing waste as part of living responsibly while still securing quality food for less.
Economic Relief Meets Environmental Action
The appeal of food waste bags lies in their dual benefit: they help families cut costs and reduce the amount of edible food thrown away. For major retailers like Salling Group, this shift in behavior is significant. Føtex stores, for instance, have seen nearly 10 percent more customers come specifically to buy Too Good To Go bags.
Because of that, Denmark’s food rescue movement is now stronger than ever. What started as a small effort to deal with waste from supermarkets and restaurants has become a mainstream part of how Danes shop and think about consumption. Even as prices slowly stabilize, it seems likely that the nation’s commitment to fighting waste will remain part of everyday life.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Food Prices in Denmark Are Increasing Amid Low Inflation
The Danish Dream: Best Grocery Stores in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Salg af madspildsposer slår rekord herhjemme
