Mette Lykke: "We throw away food without hesitation, unlike our grandmothers"

Mette Lykke, CEO of the successful European startup Too Good To Go, discusses the global food waste crisis and the impact of new legislation in Spain.

Too Good To Go is a platform connecting restaurants and supermarkets with consumers willing to rescue their surplus food at a reduced price. It is the largest in its category, operating in 21 countries with 130 million users and over 500 million meals saved. Lykke considers food waste a major anomaly of our time, noting that 40% of produced food is wasted, generating 10% of global emissions.

Regarding the new Spanish law against food waste, which came into effect on Friday, Lykke stated that Spain is the third European country to approve such a law. She described it as a structural change that will compel large retailers to work with social organizations to donate food and implement clear plans to reduce waste. She highlighted that Spain wastes several million tons of food annually, emphasizing the need for change.

Lykke expressed astonishment at the global loss of 40% of produced food. She called it scandalous and one of the most absurd problems, noting the social paradox of producing enough food for everyone while hundreds of millions go hungry, and the economic loss of a trillion euros annually from perfectly good food being discarded. She admitted she also struggles to understand it.

When asked why food waste hasn't garnered the same awareness as other climate issues, Lykke explained that the supply chain is long and complex, with many points of failure. She stated there is no single solution. In Spain, about 40% of waste occurs in households, but consumers are not solely responsible; retailers, restaurants, producers, and political leaders all play a role.

Lykke attributed the difficulty in reducing domestic waste to being too lenient with daily unforeseen events. For example, buying food for dinner but then eating out, or children disliking a meal, leading to it being thrown away. She believes we discard food more lightly than other items, partly due to its low price compared to other eras, even accounting for inflation. She contrasted this with her grandmothers, who lived through World War II and saved even leftover egg yolks, whereas today, food is thrown away without hesitation. Too Good To Go's mission is to restore respect for food and its value.

Lykke is skeptical about achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals of halving food waste by 2030, calling it unrealistic. She noted that some countries have already lowered their ambition, and globally, waste is increasing rather than decreasing.

Reflecting on Too Good To Go's decade of success, Lykke attributed it to a model where all parties benefit: the consumer saves money and feels good about contributing, and the company generates revenue from products that would otherwise be wasted. She recalled her first job cleaning bathrooms at age 12 in her grandfather's store, learning the basic principles of punctuality, hard work, and reliability.

Before Too Good To Go, Lykke founded Endomondo, a sports training app sold for around 100 million euros. She stated she never considered retiring, as her motivation is not solely about making money but about leaving a positive impact and building something that improves people's lives.

In the current climate of multiple crises, Lykke expressed concern that the environmental agenda might be relegated to the background. She warned that while wars receive more attention, the climate problem persists and will worsen the longer it is ignored. She is worried as both a citizen and a mother.

When asked if her dream of a world without food waste is realistic, Lykke's response implies continued dedication to the cause despite the challenges.