EU targets to cut food loss and waste ‘sets a new bar for action’

The introduction of new EU-level targets to reduce food loss and waste is a “significant development that sets a new bar for action”, Liz Goodwin, director of food loss and waste at the World Resources Institute has said.

Goodwin was commenting following the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reaching a provisional agreement on revisions to the Waste Framework Directive, which would introduce legally mandated EU-level targets, including cutting food waste at retailer and consumer levels by 30% and reducing food losses from processing and manufacturing by 10% by 2030.

“Policymakers often overlook reducing food waste, despite it being a key strategy to bolster the food system, combat climate change, and save money,” Goodwin commented.

Extended producer responsibility

The agreement, which also encourages the voluntary donation of unsold but safe food, also introduces extended producer responsibility rules for textile producers and fashion brands, with firms now mandated to take responsibility for their waste and contribute financially to its collection and treatment.

Textile and fashion firms will also be required to pay a fee, which will be adjusted based on how sustainable and circular their product designs are.

The new framework applies to all companies within the textile sector, ensuring a level playing field. Microenterprises will have an additional year to comply with the extended producer responsibility requirements.

Taking action

Once the agreement is formally adopted, governments in each member state will have up to 20 months to align the laws in their country with the new regulations.

‘The next thing is for member states to take action, and there are many simple things they can do – from requiring businesses to publicly report their food loss and waste to engaging consumers to write shopping lists, properly store food and other strategies to lower household waste,’ the World Resources Institute added.

The EU generates over 59 million tonnes of food waste every year, valued at approximately €132 billion, while the textile sector produces 12.6 million tonnes of waste each year, with clothing and footwear accounting for 5.2 million tonnes.

Announcing the revised waste framework directive, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Polish minister for climate and environment, said, “Today’s agreement on waste textile marks a significant step towards a robust, circular, and competitive EU economy, while upholding the polluter pays principle.

“Additionally, the EU is for the first time setting ambitious food waste reduction targets, for more sustainable food systems in the EU.” Read more here.