LiquiDonate Raises $7.25M for Retail Waste Reduction Tech

LiquiDonate, a pioneering logistics technology platform focused on diverting unsellable retail returns and excess inventory from landfills, has successfully closed a $7.25 million funding round. This capital infusion is set to accelerate the company's mission to transform waste streams into valuable resources for communities.

Founded by Disney Petit, who previously played a key role at Postmates and co-created the TIME Best Invention of the Year recipient Bento, LiquiDonate addresses a critical inefficiency in the retail supply chain. The platform automates the redirection of unwanted goods to local non-profits and educational institutions, thereby reducing environmental impact and creating social good. Petit's vision is rooted in the belief that sustainable practices must be integrated directly into core business operations to achieve scalable impact.

The company's innovative approach tackles the growing problem of retail waste, exemplified by notorious instances like mountains of unsold clothing accumulating in deserts. LiquiDonate's technology offers two primary solutions: ReturnsDirect, which intercepts unsellable returns directly from consumer homes and reroutes them to charities without needing to enter a warehouse, and WarehouseDirect, designed to process excess inventory already housed in distribution centers. These systems aim to cut reverse logistics costs for retailers by up to 60% while providing comprehensive tracking and sustainability reporting.

This funding comes at a time when the retail sector is increasingly scrutinized for its environmental footprint. The global e-commerce market continues its rapid expansion, leading to a proportional rise in product returns. Industry estimates suggest that a significant percentage of these returns are deemed unsellable, posing a substantial disposal challenge. LiquiDonate's technology offers a compelling solution, turning a costly problem into an opportunity for corporate social responsibility and operational efficiency.

Prior to this funding, LiquiDonate gained recognition, including a TIME Best Invention of the Year award in 2025, mirroring the accolade received by Petit's earlier project, Bento. The company's journey began with addressing bulkier items from warehouses but evolved to focus significantly on the high volume of consumer returns, a segment where automation can yield substantial cost savings and environmental benefits. The successful deployment of ReturnsDirect, enabling fully automated, direct-to-nonprofit routing of returns, marked a pivotal moment, solidifying the platform's infrastructure capabilities.

The $7.25 million investment will empower LiquiDonate to enhance its technological infrastructure, expand its network of retail partners, and further develop its automated matching algorithms. By providing retailers with a seamless, scalable, and data-driven method for managing surplus inventory and returns, LiquiDonate is positioning itself as a vital partner in building more sustainable and socially conscious retail supply chains.