Automated returns and waste logging

Purpose

1.1. Ensure real-time, accurate logging of food returns and kitchen waste to minimize losses, comply with health standards, and inform procurement decisions.
1.2. Aggregate returns/waste data from kitchens, staff, and customers for actionable insights on overstocking, spoilage, and operational inefficiencies.
1.3. Automate communication between kitchen, inventory, suppliers, and management to streamline reporting, accountability, and data-driven ordering.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Staff submits return/waste via digital form, POS, or sensor event (e.g., RFID bin weight sensor detects disposal).
2.2. Supplier return noted (e.g., delivered items rejected on quality check).
2.3. Daily/shift-end cron job triggers consolidated waste reporting.
2.4. Sensor/platform API threshold breach (quantity, frequency, cost).

Platform Variants

3.1. Square POS
• Feature/Setting: Connect Inventory Change API to auto-capture waste/return entries on POS adjustments.

3.2. Toast POS
• Feature/Setting: Use Menu Item Waste API to log kitchen and plate returns.

3.3. Clover
• Feature/Setting: Use Orders API and Inventory API to log, categorize, and decrement stock on returns/waste.

3.4. Lightspeed
• Feature/Setting: Inventory Adjustments endpoint to automate waste deduction and supplier return flags.

3.5. Shopify
• Feature/Setting: Inventory Level and Fulfillment APIs to update on returned stock/waste events.

3.6. Odoo
• Feature/Setting: Inventory module, API endpoint for waste/returns CRUD operations.

3.7. QuickBooks Online
• Feature/Setting: Use Inventory Adjustment API for automatic financial/stock update on waste.

3.8. Xero
• Feature/Setting: Items API for return/waste event syncing and reporting.

3.9. Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature/Setting: Scheduled flows triggering on waste/return Google Sheet row insert via connector.

3.10. Google Sheets API
• Feature/Setting: Appends new row with waste/return event data, triggers further automation via webhook.

3.11. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhooks post returns/waste alerts to inventory or operations channels.

3.12. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Integrate form submitters (Typeform, Jotform, Google Forms) with inventory software waste APIs.

3.13. Zoho Inventory
• Feature/Setting: Use Adjust Stock API to log kitchen waste/returns from digital forms.

3.14. NetSuite
• Feature/Setting: Inventory Adjustments via SuiteScript REST API for real-time stock changes.

3.15. ServiceNow
• Feature/Setting: Automated Incident Creation API triggered by waste event for compliance tracking.

3.16. Trello
• Feature/Setting: Cards auto-created via API under “Returns & Waste” list per event.

3.17. Monday.com
• Feature/Setting: Items API for creating board pulses for each return/waste entry.

3.18. Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Records API to append new entries for event logging.

3.19. Jira
• Feature/Setting: REST API to open ticket for each waste/return event, assign for review.

3.20. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Inventory & Case objects via REST API for waste/return triggers and reporting.

3.21. Smartsheet
• Feature/Setting: Row creation via API when return/waste details submitted—automated alert to procurement.

3.22. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Send alert messages to managers on significant waste/return events using Messaging API.

Benefits

4.1. Eliminates manual errors, ensuring precise stock and cost data on returns and waste.
4.2. Provides instant alerts and reporting for proactive inventory and operations management.
4.3. Supports regulatory reporting and audits with automated, validated logs.
4.4. Reduces over-ordering and spoilage by enabling timely data-driven procurement.
4.5. Enables integration across business tools, streamlining the entire returns and waste management flow.