Whole Foods Market announced plans to pilot an in-store food waste recycling system as part of a new partnership between Amazon and Mill Industries Inc., aimed at reducing produce waste generated in grocery operations.
Beginning in 2027, select Whole Foods Market locations will deploy Mill Commercial, an automated system that processes fruit and vegetable scraps from kitchen and prep operations. The discarded material will be dehydrated and converted into a feed ingredient intended for use by suppliers of Whole Foods Market’s private-label eggs, creating what the companies describe as a closed-loop supply chain.
To support the rollout, Mill received an investment from Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, though financial terms were not disclosed.
Mill Commercial automates measurement of produce scraps to support smarter inventory and ordering decisions, while its dehydration process cuts waste volume by up to 80%, reducing handling and transportation costs and improving food safety. That output, referred to as “food grounds,” can be repurposed for animal feed and other uses. The resulting feed ingredient offers a cost‑effective, stable supply that can help reduce price volatility for customers. Mill said the system has the potential to lower hauling and infrastructure costs while reducing emissions associated with food waste management.
Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, said the initiative is designed to help the grocer improve operational efficiency while diverting more food waste away from landfills.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Mill on its innovative commercial scale technology that will help us reduce food waste and operate more efficiently,” said Buechel. “This first-of-its-kind collaboration enables us to minimize waste while building a more circular supply chain that benefits our customers, communities, and environment.”
Mill, which initially focused on residential food recycling technology, is now expanding into commercial grocery and foodservice environments. Its commercial platform uses artificial intelligence to track and categorize food waste in real time, offering insights into what products are discarded and in what quantities. The company said the data could help retailers refine ordering and inventory decisions.
“Until now, there has been no advanced technology solution to tackle the problem of food waste at commercial scale,” said Mill Co-founder and CEO Matt Rogers. “With Mill Commercial, we are combining our innovative hardware with data and insights powered by AI to make it easier to dramatically reduce food waste in the grocery sector and beyond, turning what was ‘waste’ into a resource we can use. Our approach will deliver significant operational and financial benefits, not just environmental ones. This collaboration with Amazon will set a new standard for the industry, and we are excited to launch Mill Commercial with a trailblazing and mission-driven brand like Whole Foods Market.”
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