Olio is a mobile app that connects neighbours, volunteers and businesses to give away or request surplus food and household items, enabling local reuse and reducing household waste.
Circularity Relevance
Core
Olio's core proposition is sharing and giving away surplus items to avoid waste and extend product life, directly supporting circular reuse. Source: Olio, 2025
Circular Role
DirectEnabler
Olio directly facilitates exchanges between users (hosts the listings, messaging and pickup coordination) rather than only providing backend tools. Source: Olio, 2025
Circular Type
Marketplace
• Products
• C2C
• B2C
Olio is a multi-actor exchange (marketplace) for physical goods. Primary matchmaking is consumer-to-consumer; the platform also supports businesses donating surplus (business-to-consumer). Source: Olio, 2025
R Strategy
R3 - Reuse, R1 - Rethink, R2 - Reduce
Primary strategy is reuse (R3) via redistribution of items. Secondary strategies inferred from site language: rethinking delivery/access models (R1) and avoiding new purchases (R2). Evidence: "Don't buy it, or bin it - Olio it!" and how-to guidance. Source: Olio, 2025
Circular Business Model
Resale / Second-hand, Sharing / Collaborative Use
Olio functions as a sharing/resale platform enabling redistribution of used goods and surplus food between users and partner organisations. Source: Olio, 2025
Organisational Type
ForProfit
Olio is a private, for-profit company (Olio / Olioex Ltd) as documented on company profiles. Source: Crunchbase, 2025
Sector
Retail & Consumer Goods
Olio primarily facilitates redistribution and reuse of household goods and food - a consumer-facing sharing/resale service. Source: Olio, 2025
