Transforming Food Waste into Valuable Data

The early days were accompanied by challenges, primarily of a technical nature. "Neither of us came from a tech background, so building a hardware device with a camera and scale was daunting," Naomi admits. Their first solution was a rudimentary, 3D-printed prototype created in collaboration with students from ETH Zurich. "We had no choice but to start small and iterate quickly. We learned valuable lessons from each iteration, especially from our customers," she says.

The prototype often fell short of expectations—literally. "Our first version was mounted against a wall but kept falling into the trash bin, giving us very close-up pictures," Naomi laughs. "From these setbacks, we learned that the hardware needed to be mobile, robust, and easy to set up." The founders were undeterred by these initial hurdles. "We had to overcome our lack of technical expertise by finding the right talent and partners," Naomi says. They reached out to tech communities and universities, gathering a team that shared their vision and could help bring it to life.

The technological backbone of KITRO’s solution is its advanced AI and machine learning algorithms. "When we set out with the idea of KITRO, we didn't really know what AI was," Naomi admits. "We saw other industries using image capturing and processing for instantaneous feedback, and we thought, why not apply that to food waste?" This led to the development of a system that captures images of the trash bin every time the weight changes. These images and the weight and time data are processed in the cloud, providing clients with a comprehensive dashboard of their food waste.

"Through machine learning and image processing, we can identify different types of food waste and give our customers detailed insights into their waste patterns," Naomi explains. "For instance, if a hotel sees that they are consistently wasting a particular type of food on certain days, they can adjust their purchasing and preparation processes to reduce that waste," she adds.

KITRO’s innovative approach to tackling food waste hinges on the precision and reliability of the data it collects. "Trash in, trash out. If you collect bad data, you're going to get bad results," Naomi explains. Ensuring this level of data accuracy required a strategic partnership with METTLER TOLEDO, an industry leader in scale manufacturing.

Our robust and precise weighing solutions are designed to deliver exceptional accuracy and consistency, crucial attributes for KITRO’s data-driven mission. "The scales have been instrumental in ensuring the accuracy of our data collection," Naomi notes. This partnership allowed KITRO to leverage cutting-edge technology, integrating it seamlessly with their AI systems to create a powerful tool for identifying and eliminating food waste.

Moreover, this partnership underscores KITRO’s commitment to quality and innovation. By aligning with a trusted and established brand, KITRO reinforces its dedication to delivering reliable and effective solutions to the food waste problem. The combination of technological prowess and AI capabilities results in a powerful tool that identifies waste and offers actionable insights to reduce it.         

For Naomi, the journey with KITRO is more than a business venture; it's a personal mission. "We want to have a meaningful impact on reducing food waste and promoting sustainability. We are deeply committed to this, not just for our customers, but for the planet as well," she asserts. KITRO’s story serves as a powerful reminder of how passion, combined with purpose, can drive meaningful change.

KITRO's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its product development and customer engagement approach. "We don’t just provide a product; we offer a complete solution that includes ongoing support and guidance. This ensures that our clients reduce their food waste and sustain those reductions over time," Naomi explains. This holistic approach has earned KITRO a loyal customer base and a reputation for delivering tangible results.
 
As they look to the future, Naomi and Anastasia remain focused on their mission. "We are continuously innovating and improving our solution to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our ultimate goal is to make a significant dent in the global food waste problem," she says. Their journey is a testament to the power of innovation, perseverance, and a shared commitment to making the world a better place.

Naomi and her co-founder Anastasia envision a world where measuring food waste becomes the norm rather than the exception. "We've seen tremendous progress over the past seven years, with more regulations and commitments from global players. Our goal is to make food waste measurement a standard practice," she says. They also hope to extend their influence beyond the hospitality industry, encouraging individuals to change their behavior both at home and when dining out.

"Through data, we can show the impact of food waste in quantifiable terms. This can encourage individuals and organizations to take action and change their behavior," she says. Naomi believes that by making the issue of food waste visible and understandable, they can drive meaningful change on a global scale.