AI Tool Trial Targets UK Food Waste, Millions Of Meals Could Be Saved - 1

Image by Ashley Winker, from Unsplash

AI Tool Trial Targets UK Food Waste, Millions Of Meals Could Be Saved

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Nestlé and UK partners are testing an AI tool that could drastically reduce food waste and save millions of meals nationwide.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Nestlé trial cut edible food waste by 87% in just two weeks.
  • The AI tool may help save 1.5 million meals from going to waste.
  • Zest developed the AI to track and manage surplus edible food.

A new artificial intelligence tool being tested by Nestlé and other UK companies could help save the equivalent of 1.5 million meals in food waste.

The Zest food-tech company developed an AI system that detects edible yet unsellable products, including broken KitKat bars and products with short expiry dates, and recommends redistribution solutions. During its two-week trial at a Nestlé factory, the system reduced edible food waste by 87%, as first reported by The Guardian .

Zest co-founder Alina Sartogo explained that these products remain safe for consumption, although they do not generate enough profit for sale.

The Guardian reported that the pilot program run by Nestlé will reduce surplus food waste to 700 tonnes, which will prevent 1,400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and save operational costs of up to £14 million.

The technology provided by Zest enables businesses to track their waste in real time while providing essential data for better waste management. The food supply chain will gain access to the tool through subscription services starting in March of the following year.

The UK government’s Innovate UK agency supports the trial through its BridgeAI program, which provided a £1.9 million match-funded grant, as noted by The Guardian.

“It’s a solution that aims to transform food sourcing and distribution across the UK, cutting waste, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering costs,” said Esra Kasapoğlu, director of AI and data economy at the agency, as reported by The Guardian.

Each year, around 4.6 million tonnes of edible food—about 10 billion meals—are wasted in the UK, as noted by The Guardian.

Simon Millard, food director at FareShare, said the technology would “make a huge difference” in helping them supply surplus food to over 8,000 UK charities and community groups, as reported by The Guardian.

The current pilot phase unites Nestlé with Bristol Superlight, FuturePlus, Howard Tenens Logistics, Google Cloud, and FareShare under the support of Sustainable Ventures which operates as a climate startup hub.

Solar Storms Are Speeding Up Starlink Satellite Failures - 2

Image by SpaceX, from Unsplash

Solar Storms Are Speeding Up Starlink Satellite Failures

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

NASA has discovered that solar activity is making Starlink satellites fall to Earth faster, raising concerns about debris and satellite longevity.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Solar activity is shortening Starlink satellites’ orbital lifespans.
  • Geomagnetic storms increase atmospheric drag on low-Earth satellites.
  • NASA tracked 523 Starlink satellite re-entries from 2020–2024.

NASA researchers have discovered that SpaceX Starlink satellites experience accelerated descent toward Earth because of the recent increased solar activity, as first reported by New Scientist (NS).

The solar activity cycle, which lasts 11 years, reached its peak in late 2024. During the solar maximum period, bursts of solar energy heat the atmosphere, causing it to expand. NS explains that this expansion increases atmospheric drag, primarily affecting satellites in low-Earth orbit, such as the 7,000+ Starlink satellites that provide internet connectivity.

“When we have geomagnetic storms, satellites re-enter faster than expected,” said Denny Oliveira from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, as reported by NS. NASA found that satellite lifespans could be cut short by as much as 10 days during intense solar activity.

Between 2020 and 2024, 523 Starlink satellites re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and burned up. But Oliveira warns, “In a few years, we will have satellites re-entering every day,” as reported by NS.

While some re-entries are planned, others happen due to unexpected failure or solar interference. Satellites orbiting below 300 km descend more quickly during intense geomagnetic storms, shortening their re-entry period to five days instead of the usual 15.

Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at Canada’s University of Regina, says this is the first time we’ve seen the effects of solar maximum on such a massive satellite constellation. “It is important to do these measurements.,” she added, as noted by NS.

The process, according to Sean Elvidge from the University of Birmingham, helps remove dead satellites from orbit. However, it also introduces potential hazards. Rapid satellite descents reduce the time available for them to fully burn up, increasing the risk of debris reaching Earth’s surface.

NS notes that in August 2024, a 2.5-kilogram piece of Starlink satellite debris was found on a farm in Saskatchewan. Lawler questioned how many other fragments might have gone undetected, saying, “If we found one (piece), how many did we miss?”