A fridge that feeds both people and community

What unsustainable behaviour needs to change:

Producing food uses vast amounts of land, water and energy—yet nearly one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste, according to the UN. In the UK, households account for over 70% of food waste– underscoring how much surplus food goes unused.

This waste isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a missed opportunity to feed people and build more resilient communities.

While systemic change is essential, we also need creative, community-level solutions that redistribute edible food, simply and without stigma.

The Green Nudge:

Hubbub has found a way to tackle multiple challenges at once—waste, food insecurity and social isolation—through one simple, collective solution: community fridges.

These shared public spaces let anyone give or take surplus food—whether from households, retailers, growers or producers. No eligibility checks, just open access.

Hubbub runs a network of over 700 fridges across the UK, sharing 2 million meals worth of surplus food every month, for free. Some have evolved into community hubs offering shared meals, cooking classes and gardening workshops. They reduce waste while fostering skills, resilience and social connection.

The design of community fridges is grounded in behavioural science:

• Simplicity: Fridges are easy to use and easy to find—in everyday spaces like schools and shops. Hosts receive training, funding and peer support.
  
• Rewards: Free food is a clear incentive. Many people try new ingredients or cooking techniques. One visitor said, “It’s where I tried blueberries for the first time.”
• Social norms: Because fridges are in visible, everyday spaces, food sharing becomes normalised. They remove stigma and create a positive loop of habit and connection. As one visitor put it: “It’s where I met my partner.”

The results: In 2024 alone, the impact was remarkable:

• 10,438 tonnes of food saved from waste
• Over 780,000 unique visitors made more than 3 million visits
• 700+ community fridges shared the equivalent of 24 million meals

Community fridges do more than save food—they bring people together. They offer dignified access to fresh food, cut waste through local sharing, and create warm, welcoming spaces where connection, care and community can grow.

Do you know of any other nudges that reduce food waste while building community?
Feel free to get in touch: hello@green-nudges.com

From Hubbub, a creative charity that makes environmental action engaging and meaningful for people, communities and businesses. In 2024, Hubbub supported over 1,000 local groups and inspired more than 1.7 million positive environmental actions across the UK.