Over 25 million meals donated
In 2025, REWE Group Austria donated more than 25 million meal equivalents from its BILLA, BILLA PLUS (over 23 million) and PENNY stores (over 2 million) to social organizations. Nearly all BILLA, BILLA PLUS, PENNY and BIPA locations cooperate with partners such as Team Österreich Tafel of the Austrian Red Cross, Caritas, and social markets run by SOMA & partners.
Independent ADEG retailers also donate perfectly edible but unsellable food or process it further themselves—for example into spreads, dumplings, or animal feed. More than one third of them additionally make regular donations to charitable organizations.
Over 1.5 million Rescue Bags: customers actively helped
In 2025, a total of 1,534,069 Rescue Bags were sold at BILLA, BILLA PLUS, PENNY, ADEG and BIPA. These bags allow customers to purchase approximately 3 to 3.5 kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables with cosmetic imperfections or without original packaging at a reduced price.
In addition to direct in-store sales, food was also saved through cooperation with “Too Good To Go.” The bags are prepared daily at BIPA and ADEG depending on surplus stock and packaging damage. As the first drugstore chain in Europe, BIPA is also a Too Good To Go partner helping to rescue food.
Last year, 24,000 surprise bags with treats for dogs and cats were collected. In addition, around 273,800 bakery Rescue Bags were sold at BILLA alone in 2025.
5,335 tons of “Wunderlinge”: a second chance
Through the private label “Wunderlinge,” BILLA, PENNY and ADEG saved fruit and vegetables in 2025 that may have looked unusual—too small, too large or too crooked—but were of excellent quality.
A total of 5,335 tons were sold under this label, a significant increase compared to the previous year (2024: 4,603 tons). The range varies seasonally and demonstrates that cosmetic imperfections are no reason for waste.
Ja! Natürlich: soup stocks made from surplus
In 2025, the organic brand Ja! Natürlich consistently lived by the principle “use everything, waste nothing.” New soup stocks were introduced to the market—made from high-quality ingredients generated during the production of other Ja! Natürlich products, such as soup vegetables, pasture-raised cattle bones, free-range chicken carcasses, or fish carcasses from domestic salmonids.
The stocks are available in vegetable, fish, chicken and beef varieties. Resourcefulness and enjoyment go hand in hand here.
Bakery goods turned into animal feed
BILLA collaborates with the Austrian horse and livestock feed producer KÖNIGSHOFER. Bread and baked goods that can no longer be sold or donated are processed into high-quality animal feed.
In 2025 alone, 2,736 tons were saved from disposal in this way.
Marcel Haraszti, Board Member of REWE International AG, states:
“Through numerous initiatives, our retail companies were able to donate more than 25 million meals in 2025. This is not a number we rest on, but a motivation. For us, saving food is a mindset—reflected in our merchandise management, our private labels, and the daily actions of our employees.”
What everyone can do: everyday tips
According to a study commissioned by WWF Austria, around 55 percent of domestic food waste is generated in private households. Simple measures can help change this:
Create a weekly plan and plan 3 to 5 main meals in advance
Write a shopping list—after checking pantry supplies
Use highly perishable foods first
Reserve one day for cooking with leftovers (“leftover kitchen”)
More recipe ideas and inspiration for avoiding food waste can be found at: www.billa.at/frischgekocht/rezept.
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