Gander nominated for the Earthshot prize for the third year in a rowd

Isle of Man — For the third consecutive year, Gander, the Isle of Man-based technology firm revolutionizing food waste reduction, has been nominated for the prestigious Earthshot Prize. This consistent recognition places the company among the world’s most promising environmental innovators, solidifying its status as a global leader in the fight to "Build a Waste-Free World."

A Hat-Trick of Recognition

The Earthshot Prize, launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2020, is widely regarded as the most prestigious environmental award in history. It aims to discover and scale the best solutions to repair our planet by 2030.

Gander’s nomination for the 2025 prize comes via BVRio, an official nominator based in Brazil. This follows previous nominations in 2023 and 2024 by sustainability heavyweights like the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Cranfield University. Securing a nomination three years running is a rare feat that underscores the enduring relevance and scalability of Gander's solution.

Turning "Yellow Stickers" into Green Action

Founded by father-and-son team Mike and Ashley Osborne, Gander addresses a critical inefficiency in the retail sector: the disconnect between reduced-to-clear food and the shoppers who want to buy it.

Traditionally, "yellow sticker" items—food nearing its expiration date—rely on sheer luck; a shopper must be in the right aisle at the right time to spot them. Gander’s SaaS platform disrupts this by integrating directly with retailers' Point of Sale (POS) systems. When a store marks down an item, it instantly appears on the Gander app, alerting local consumers in real-time.

The result? A seamless bridge between retail waste and consumer demand. To date, the platform has helped save an estimated 38.9 million food items from landfill, preventing thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions.

From Local Roots to Global Impact

While Gander began its journey in the Isle of Man, its ambition is global. The 2025 nomination by a Brazilian organization highlights the company's international expansion, with operations now spanning the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Greece, Australia, and Brazil.

"The urgency of transforming our efforts to reduce food waste is clear," said Mike Osborne, Founder of Gander. "Our technology enables retailers to reach more consumers, ensuring perfectly good food is sold and consumed rather than wasted."

This year's nomination is particularly significant as it aligns with the run-up to the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will be hosted in Brazil. It signals that Gander’s model is not just a localized fix, but a viable, scalable tool for emerging markets where food security and waste reduction are paramount.

The Road Ahead

Being nominated is an accolade in itself, but it also serves as a reminder of the work left to do. Food waste accounts for a staggering portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Solutions like Gander prove that environmental responsibility and commercial viability can coexist—retailers protect their margins, consumers save money, and the planet breathes a little easier.

As the Earthshot Prize council reviews this year's contenders, Gander stands as a testament to the power of simple, data-driven innovation. Whether or not they take home the £1 million prize this year, their third consecutive nomination sends a clear message: the world is watching, and the fight against food waste is gaining irrepressible momentum.