Does this cost anything?
No. Browsing and collecting listings is completely free, always.Who’s giving this stuff away?
Local shops with surplus food that’s about to be binned, plus neighbours giving away things they no longer need.Do I have to travel far?
No. Everything shown is near your own postcode, so most items can be collected the same day.Do I need to sign up for anything official?
No. There are no forms and no eligibility checks — just create a free account and start browsing.
Every day, good food gets thrown away by shops simply because it’s close to its best-before date — and perfectly good books, toys, clothes and household items get binned just because someone doesn’t need them anymore.
Olio connects the people who have this stuff with the neighbours who’d love to take it off their hands, completely free. It’s not a charity scheme and it’s not a loan — it’s a free app used by 9 million people worldwide to save money and cut down on waste.
📌 What you’ll find on this page
🏪 Which local shops share surplus food for free
📍 How to see what’s available near your postcode
👤 Who can join and what you need
New listings go up throughout the day, so the earlier you check, the more choice you’ll have.
What is Olio?
Olio is a free app that connects neighbours with each other — and with local shops and cafés — so that surplus food and unwanted household items get shared for free instead of thrown away.
Anyone nearby can browse what’s on offer, request an item in a couple of taps, and arrange a quick, free collection — usually the same day.
Why do shops give food away for free?
Bakeries, cafés and grocers regularly have good food left over at the end of the day that’s still perfectly fine to eat but won’t sell. Instead of binning it, many list it for free on Olio, where volunteers (“Food Waste Hero”) collect it and share it with people nearby.
It’s a win for everyone: shops cut down on waste, volunteers get to help their community, and neighbours get free food that would otherwise have gone in the bin.
Who can use it?
Anyone can join — there’s no eligibility criteria, no application, and no cost. You simply download the app, pop in your location, and start browsing what’s available near you in the UK or Ireland.
What can you find nearby?
| Category | What’s included | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Free food | Bread, fruit & veg, pantry items from shops nearby | Daily |
| Household items | Books, toiletries, kitchenware and more | Varies |
| Baby & kids items | Clothes, toys and gear neighbours no longer need | Varies |
| Declutter swaps | Give away things you don’t need, or grab from others | Anytime |
Beyond free food
Olio isn’t just about food. Once you’re set up, you can also:
- Give away things you don’t need in a couple of minutes
- Sell items for a few quid instead of binning them
- Volunteer as a Food Waste Hero and collect surplus food from local shops
- Connect with neighbours who share your area
All of this is free to use, in the app you already need for the free food.
Your next step: see what’s available near you
Checking what’s free near your postcode takes less than two minutes and costs nothing.
SEE WHAT’S FREE NEAR ME100% free — no sign-up needed to browse