Pittsburgh startup Clean Plate Innovations is using AI to turn table scraps into data that helps food-service operators cut waste and save money.

Why it matters: Food waste is as much a business problem as it is a sustainability one, costing the hospitality industry billions each year in lost profits.

• About two-thirds of that waste comes from what diners don't finish, per a recent Georgetown University report.

The big picture: Founder and CEO Nolan Sulpizio launched Clean Plate as a Duquesne University student in 2024.

• After taking top honors in the Duquesne New Venture Challenge early last year, the concept evolved into a venture-backed startup with support from Innovation Works' accelerator program.

How it works: Cameras mounted above trash cans or tray returns scan leftover food before it's tossed.

• AI identifies each item, estimates how much remains by weight and logs when it was thrown away, creating a dashboard that helps fine-tune menus, portions and purchasing.
• "If you have 80% of your cheeseburgers coming back, it's probably a quality thing versus having 37% coming back, which might be a portion thing or something else," Sulpizio says.

Case in point: At Seneca Valley Intermediate High School in Butler County, the tech analyzed more than 2,700 images over three weeks and found students were throwing away an unexpected item: French fries.

• After talking to students, the district learned the fries were cold by the time they reached the table. The school switched to cubed tater tots that held their heat better.

What they're saying: The company's mission is rooted in a question Daniel Oldak, chief strategic officer, says extends well beyond Clean Plate: "Are we treating food with the dignity it deserves?"

• "Food should not be seen as a commodity that's dispensable," he says, especially as food service operators navigate rising costs, shifting consumer habits and growing environmental pressures.

What's next: Clean Plate is pursuing partnerships with schools, hospitals, hotels and other large-scale dining operators while remaining open to more strategic investors, Oldak says.

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Browns Hill Road was voted the worst sidewalk in Pittsburgh due to its narrow pavement, steep hill and forced interaction with traffic, Axios readers say.

Why it matters: Pedestrian advocates and city officials are tracking sidewalk conditions to make streets safer and are recruiting more volunteers to gather data on sidewalks at places like Browns Hill Road.

Catch up quick: Over 100 readers voted in Axios Pittsburgh's poll asking which of eight terrible sidewalks was the worst in the region.

Sidewalks were selected that are necessary for connection between neighborhoods, but also lack concrete, offer little or no buffer from traffic or force users to cross the street.

By the numbers: Browns Hill Road's sidewalk was picked as the worst with 33 votes (28% of the vote), narrowly defeating the Bigelow Boulevard sidewalk with 32 votes (27%).

• Liberty Avenue in the Strip received 16 votes (13%) and Ohio River Boulevard between Emsworth and the McKees Rocks Bridge got 13 votes (11%).

Zoom in: The half-mile stretch of Browns Hill Road sidewalk forces users to cross a wide four-lane street at least once, has narrow sidewalks next to fast-moving vehicles, is just gravel in one section, and is the only pedestrian connection between Squirrel Hill and Homestead.

What they're saying: "Browns Hill Road has so many branches and is so narrow that you need to stick your head into oncoming traffic, and people are always going twice the speed limit there," James Frye wrote on Instagram.

• "Brownshill road is straight up terrifying lol," said Instagram user sapsquatch.

Go deeper

🦠 Allegheny County Health officials identified 11 cases of cyclosporiasis, the gastrointestinal illness that can cause symptoms like explosive or watery diarrhea. County officials said there is no need to panic, the illness is not deadly and only one person in the county has been hospitalized. (WESA)

🏫 Pittsburgh's Environmental Charter School plans to relocate its middle and high school to a new facility in South Oakland at 743 Technology Drive for the 2027-28 school year. (TribLive)

💰 Gov. Josh Shapiro touted $678 million in new investments in education as part of the recently signed state budget at an event in Monroeville last week. (KDKA)

👋 Editor Chloe here! Last weekend I went to an event that I think everyone should plan to attend next summer: Blobfest.

The big picture: The original "The Blob (1958)" was filmed in Southeast Pennsylvania, and every summer, Phoenixville holds a festival to celebrate the indescribable, indestructible creature.

Zoom in: I've been to my fair share of themed festivals, and I can confidently say Blobfest takes the amorphous cake.

• Businesses decorate their facades for a contest; bars have themed drinks; and there's even a "run-out" where visitors re-create the iconic movie theater evacuation scene at the Colonial Theatre, where it was filmed.
• Vendors lined up along the street selling blob-themed items, from paintings and key hooks to plushies and T-shirts.

If you go: The next Blobfest is in July 2027. Phoenixville is about 4.5 hours from Pittsburgh — but I promise it's worth it.

The bottom line: Even if you've never seen the cult classic, you'll understand why the town oozes with enthusiasm for "The Blob."

Pro tip

🏀 Nebby doesn't have arms to play basketball, but still loves to play hide and seek.

❓ The intrigue: Guess what court our pierogi mascot is at and you could win a free Nebby sticker.

📧 Hit reply to this email to send your answers.