Case Studies - NANDO https://nandoai.com/category/case-studies/ NANDO: AI Waste Monitoring Platform Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:19:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://nandoai.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cropped-nando-icon-blue-png-32x32.webp Case Studies - NANDO https://nandoai.com/category/case-studies/ 32 32 How Dussmann reduced canteen food waste by 60% with AI https://nandoai.com/how-dussmann-reduced-canteen-food-waste-by-60-with-ai/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:35:55 +0000 https://nandoai.com/?p=12838 The post How Dussmann reduced canteen food waste by 60% with AI appeared first on NANDO.

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How Dussmann Reduced Canteen Food Waste by 60% with AI — Case Study

Dussmann Service cut food overproduction waste from 20% to 6–8% in a corporate canteen in Rome using NANDO.Canteen AI cameras. Here is how AI-powered food waste monitoring transformed their meal service, and what it means for any food service operation in 2026.

Key results at a glance

Metric Result
Food overproduction waste –60% reduction
Uneaten food rate 20% → 6–8%
Recycling accuracy improvement +60% in 2 months
Data categories monitored 21 food categories

The Challenge: Food Waste Without Visibility

Corporate canteens face a structural problem: food is produced based on estimates, not data. When those estimates are wrong, which they frequently are, the result is systematic overproduction, food waste, and avoidable costs.

Dussmann Service, one of Europe’s leading facility management companies, faced this challenge in their corporate catering operations. Without real-time visibility into what diners were actually eating versus leaving on their trays, kitchen staff had no reliable basis for adjusting portions or menus.

The consequences were measurable: high food waste rates, elevated food costs, and an ESG gap in sustainability reporting.

The Solution: NANDO.Canteen AI Food Waste Monitoring

Dussmann implemented NANDO.Canteen in a corporate canteen in Rome. Two AI cameras were installed strategically at the tray return area, the point where uneaten food becomes waste data.

How NANDO.Canteen Works

      1. Automatic detection: Cameras recognize food residues across 21 categories (pasta, meat, vegetables, fruit, bread, etc.)

      1. Weight estimation: Advanced algorithms calculate the precise quantity of food wasted per tray

      1. Real-time dashboard: Data aggregated and visible immediately to kitchen staff

      1. Weekly reports: Actionable insights for menu and portion optimization

    1. KPI monitoring: Continuous tracking of waste evolution over time

The system requires no changes to kitchen workflows or diner behavior — it operates passively, turning every returned tray into a data point.

Results: From Gut Feel to Data-Driven Decisions

Food waste reduction

Within months of deployment, overproduction waste dropped from 20% to 6–8% — a reduction of more than 60%. Kitchen staff could now identify with precision which dishes were consistently left uneaten, and adjust production quantities accordingly.

Recycling quality improvement

Alongside food waste reduction, NANDO.Canteen’s monitoring contributed to a 60% improvement in recycling accuracy within the canteen in just two months — a direct result of better visibility into waste streams.

Menu optimization

By analyzing real consumption data — what was actually eaten versus what was left — Dussmann was able to:

      • Eliminate dishes that were systematically unpopular

      • Increase frequency of highest-rated meals

      • Test new recipes with immediate feedback from consumption data

      • Adjust portion sizes to match actual diner preferences

    • Personalize menus across different corporate locations

Economic and environmental impact

Cost savings

Reducing food overproduction waste by 60% translates directly into lower food costs. Less raw material is purchased, less staff time is spent on excess preparation, and less waste requires disposal.

ESG and sustainability reporting

Every kilogram of food saved with NANDO.Canteen represents less water, energy, and natural resources consumed in food production — and lower CO₂ emissions from both production and organic waste disposal. This data feeds directly into ESG sustainability reports.

As Alessio Vismara, COO of Dussmann’s Business & Industry division, noted: 

the system allows analytical, accurate monitoring of perceived quality within their corporate restaurants. improving service and better satisfying client preferences.

Circular economy integration

The food waste data generated by NANDO.Canteen also opens pathways for surplus food recovery programs and circular economy certifications, increasingly relevant for corporate sustainability strategies under CSRD.

Why this model is scalable

The Dussmann implementation demonstrates that AI-powered food waste monitoring is not limited to large corporate canteens. The same approach applies to:

      • Hospital and healthcare catering — where dietary requirements make overproduction particularly costly

      • University and school canteens — high volume, variable attendance, significant waste potential

      • Airport and transport hub food service — unpredictable demand patterns where data is especially valuable

    • Commercial restaurant groups — multi-location operations needing centralized waste visibility

NANDO.Canteen deploys in under 48 hours per location, requires no structural changes, and begins generating actionable data from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does AI reduce food waste in corporate canteens? NANDO.Canteen uses cameras at the tray return area to identify and weigh uneaten food across 21 categories in real time. This data allows kitchen managers to adjust portions and menus based on actual consumption patterns rather than estimates.

How quickly does NANDO.Canteenshow results? Dussmann saw measurable waste reduction within the first weeks of deployment. Overproduction waste dropped from 20% to 6–8% within months, and recycling accuracy improved by 60% in the first two months.

Does NANDO.Canteen require changes to canteen layout or workflow? No. The system uses cameras installed above the tray return area. No structural changes, additional hardware at table level, or modifications to kitchen or service workflows are required.

Can food waste monitoring data be used for ESG reporting? Yes. NANDO.Canteen generates certified food waste data compatible with CSRD, GRI, and corporate ESG frameworks. Data is automatically aggregated and exportable for sustainability reports and audits.

Is NANDO.Canteen suitable for high-volume food service environments? Yes. NANDO.Canteen is designed for high-volume operations including corporate canteens, hospital catering, university cafeterias, and large-scale food service. It operates in real time without slowing service or requiring workflow changes.

Ready to Reduce Food Waste in Your Canteen?

Discover how NANDO.Canteen can help you monitor, analyze and reduce food waste with AI technology, just like Dussmann did.

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Related pages: NANDO.Canteen · Food Waste Industry · Case Studies

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]]> Bocconi University and NANDO: +60% Correct Waste Disposal in 2 Months | Case Study https://nandoai.com/case-study-bocconi-university-and-nando/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:09:32 +0000 https://nandoai.com/?p=12306 Home Case Studies Bocconi University NANDO Impact: Bocconi University Case Study Gamification for sustainability: +60% correct waste disposal in 2 months Key Results at Bocconi University 15,000 Participants Users engaged...

The post Bocconi University and NANDO: +60% Correct Waste Disposal in 2 Months | Case Study appeared first on NANDO.

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NANDO Impact: Bocconi University Case Study

Gamification for sustainability: +60% correct waste disposal in 2 months


NANDO Quiz Bocconi University

Key Results at Bocconi University

15,000 Participants

Users engaged in NANDO.Quiz, improving knowledge on correct waste disposal practices

+60% Improvement

Significant increase in correct recycling practices in just 2 months

Gamified Engagement

Interactive initiatives to raise awareness among students and staff on sustainability

Green Culture

Promotion of sustainable behaviors and environmental responsibility across the Bocconi community

The NANDO.Quiz Initiative at Bocconi University

Bocconi University chose NANDO.Quiz to actively engage its community in more responsible waste management practices. Through an innovative gamified platform, students and staff could test their knowledge and learn correct behaviors in a fun and interactive way.

The challenge was clear: transform the waste management culture on campus, making every member of the Bocconi University community an active protagonist of the change towards environmental sustainability. The goal was also to create a model that could be replicated in other educational and corporate contexts.

In just two months, massive participation on the platform generated tangible and measurable results: a 60% increase in correct waste disposal practices. This demonstrates how digital and engaging initiatives can drive real and lasting behavior changes.

The NANDO.Quiz at Bocconi University project represents a prime example of how technology and gamification can be powerful tools for environmental education. Thousands of students acquired practical skills on recycling, waste separation, and waste reduction.

Project Key Data

Over 15,000 users actively participated in NANDO.Quiz during the first two months of the project at Bocconi University. However, the impact went far beyond the numbers: the platform significantly improved both theoretical knowledge and daily practice of correct waste disposal across the entire campus.

Gamification for Sustainability: The Bocconi University Model

Gamification proved to be a powerful tool to stimulate engagement within the university community. Virtual badges, competitive leaderboards, and interactive quizzes encouraged active student participation. Moreover, they transformed environmental education into a motivating and enjoyable experience rather than a boring obligation.

This innovative approach helped build a genuine green culture at Bocconi University. Students and staff now share common sustainability goals and practical skills, showing how technology can serve the environment.

The NANDO.Quiz platform did not only provide theoretical knowledge. Instead, it created a dynamic learning ecosystem where each participant could track their progress, compare with peers, and receive immediate feedback on their waste disposal choices.

Implemented Gamification Mechanics

Main gamification elements that made NANDO.Quiz so effective at Bocconi University include:

  • Progressive points system: Each correct quiz answer on recycling earned points that could be accumulated
  • Badges and achievements: Virtual recognition for milestones achieved (e.g., “Plastic Expert”, “Recycling Champion”)
  • Real-time leaderboards: Rankings among departments and faculties to encourage healthy competition
  • Weekly challenges: Themed quizzes on specific waste categories with dedicated rewards
  • Personalized learning paths: Adaptive content based on individual performance

Measurable Gamification Outcome

The 60% improvement in correct waste management in just 2 months at Bocconi University concretely demonstrates the effectiveness of gamification as a behavioral change lever. Moreover, the platform’s retention rate stayed above 85% throughout the project period, highlighting authentic and lasting engagement.

Educational Impact and Environmental Training

Beyond quantitative results, the NANDO.Quiz at Bocconi University project had a deep educational impact on the university community. Students gained practical knowledge applicable not only on campus but also at home and in future workplaces.

The platform covered essential topics for proper waste management, including:

  • Differentiation between recyclable and non-recyclable plastics
  • Correct disposal of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
  • Organic waste management and composting
  • Identification of recyclability symbols on packaging
  • Circular economy and source waste reduction

Data collected by the platform showed quiz correct answer rates rose from 42% initially to 87% at the end. This proves that a playful, interactive approach can be significantly more effective than traditional static information campaigns.

Feedback from the University Community

Bocconi University students enthusiastically welcomed the initiative, particularly appreciating the opportunity to learn through play. Many participants reported changing their daily habits thanks to the knowledge acquired via NANDO.Quiz.

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

The NANDO.Quiz platform achieved a Net Promoter Score of 72 at Bocconi University, indicating very high satisfaction and willingness to recommend the initiative to other universities. Consequently, several Italian universities have already expressed interest in implementing similar projects on their campuses.

Technology and Digital Innovation

The NANDO.Quiz platform used at Bocconi University leverages cutting-edge technologies to ensure a smooth and engaging user experience. The cloud-based architecture allows scalability and accessibility from any mobile or desktop device.

Main Technical Features

  • Mobile-first design: Interface optimized for smartphones, the primary device of university students
  • Real-time analytics: Administrative dashboard to monitor engagement, progress, and areas for improvement
  • Dynamic content: Quiz database continuously updated with new questions and challenges
  • Social integration: Ability to share achievements and challenge friends via social networks
  • Accessibility: Platform compliant with WCAG 2.1 standards to ensure inclusivity

The NANDO.Quiz infrastructure handled traffic peaks of over 3,000 concurrent users during weekly challenges. Additionally, the push notification system kept platform return rates high, with an average session duration of 8.5 minutes.

Concrete Sustainability Impact on Campus

The 60% improvement in waste disposal practices at Bocconi University resulted in tangible and measurable environmental benefits. The university recorded a significant reduction in general waste, with a corresponding increase in properly separated fractions.

Quantified Environmental Benefits

  • +45% paper and cardboard correctly recycled compared to pre-project period
  • +38% plastic sent to recycling thanks to better material separation
  • -22% general waste produced overall by the campus
  • Waste disposal cost reduction: Estimated €15,000 annual savings thanks to better separation
  • Carbon footprint: Estimated reduction of 12 tons CO₂eq per year thanks to increased recycling

These results show how education and engagement initiatives can generate concrete impacts on the environmental sustainability of large organizations like Bocconi University. Therefore, the NANDO.Quiz model is a replicable and scalable tool for other educational institutions and companies.

Awards and Certifications

Thanks to the results achieved with NANDO.Quiz, Bocconi University received the Green Campus certification from Legambiente and ranked among the top 5 Italian universities for environmental sustainability in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2026.

The Future of Campus Sustainability

Bocconi University’s experience with NANDO.Quiz demonstrates how gamified digital platforms can create tangible impacts on waste management and promote responsible behaviors. The integration of technology, education, and environmental sustainability represents a virtuous model that can be replicated in other university, school, and corporate contexts.

The success of the initiative shows that cultural change toward sustainability requires not only regulations and infrastructure but also active engagement and practical training. Consequently, Bocconi University decided to extend the NANDO.Quiz project to subsequent academic years, introducing new features and more advanced challenges.

Next Steps of the Project

Building on the initial success, Bocconi University and NANDO are planning further developments:

  • Platform expansion with modules dedicated to energy efficiency and sustainable mobility
  • Partnerships with other Italian universities to create an inter-university sustainability league
  • Integration with smart waste management systems via IoT sensors in campus bins
  • Student ambassador program to promote sustainability best practices
  • Academic research on the effectiveness of gamification in environmental education

Want to Engage Your Community in Sustainability?

Discover how NANDO.Quiz can help educate, engage, and raise awareness among users about proper recycling practices. Improve sustainable behaviors in your organization and create a real, measurable environmental impact, just like Bocconi University did.

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