Skip navigation

At Sezamo, we believe every food has its value

Unfortunately, it is estimated that Romania generates approximately 5 million tons of food waste annually, according to a 2020 study. Waste does not only happen in households, but also in supermarkets and, unfortunately, even in our warehouse. We are talking about surpluses, products rejected due to appearance, or ingredients that remain unused, although they are still good for consumption. That is why we launched the “Save and Save” initiative and support food banks to reduce this waste as much as possible. Now we go even further. We have joined forces with experts from TransFoodMission and, as the first retailer in Europe, we are introducing upcycling. We transform products that would otherwise be considered waste into new, quality foods that not only taste great but also help reduce waste. By collaborating with farmers and suppliers, we ensure that each product has a positive impact on the environment. With upcycling, we give a new life to food left over from production or those that do not look “perfect,” and you can be part of the change.

And what, in fact, is upcycling?

Recycling, upcycling, and downcycling. Perhaps you've heard of them, but what do they actually mean? Let's clarify them! Upcycling means transforming a product that is not in good condition into a new, more valuable, and more creative product. Downcycling, on the other hand, means that a quality material ends up being reused in a form with lower value. Our goal is to explain these terms, so you know what they mean and how we can contribute to change.

Upcycling

Upcycling is a sustainable process by which secondary products and food that would otherwise end up in the trash are transformed into new and more valuable products. Think of it as a "second chance" for food. For example, the spent grain remaining after beer production, which would normally be discarded, can be transformed into tasty crackers, full of fiber and protein. In beer production, these residues represent up to 85% of all waste – so why not use them? This process not only reduces waste but also preserves or even improves the quality of raw materials and brings new, innovative, environmentally friendly products that use resources that would otherwise be lost.

Recycling