The updated legislation introduces binding food waste reduction targets that national governments must meet by the end of 2030.
Specifically, food processing and manufacturing firms must achieve a 10% reduction in waste, while retailers, restaurants, and households aim for a 30% per capita reduction.
These targets will be calculated based on future waste levels compared to the average generated between 2021 and 2023.
At the request of the European Parliament, EU countries will be required to implement measures that facilitate the donation of unsold food that is safe for human consumption, ensuring significant economic operators play a key role in preventing food waste.
Currently, nearly 60 million tonnes of food are wasted annually in the EU, which translates to approximately 132 kg per person.
In conjunction with these measures, producers distributing textiles in the EU will also need to finance their collection, sorting, and recycling through new producer responsibility schemes set up by each member state.
Once signed by both co-legislators, the law will be published in the EU Official Journal. Following its entry into force, EU countries will have 20 months to transpose these rules into their national legislation.
‘Decisive shift away from a throwaway culture’
David Gudgeon, head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect, emphasized that the new reduction targets mark an “important milestone.”
“It is encouraging that this baseline captures a broad, post-COVID data range, ensuring the targets reflect normal trading conditions,” Gudgeon noted.
“Meeting these ambitious targets will be demanding, but they signal a decisive shift away from a throwaway culture and the needless loss of resource-intensive food production. Reducing waste across the entire food value chain offers significant climate benefits, conserving land, water, energy, and carbon otherwise lost through inefficiency.”
Gudgeon further stated that achieving a circular food system will require businesses and regulators to reevaluate the full lifecycle of production and consumption.
“This ruling sends a clear signal that Europe is ready to move beyond wasteful practices – opening opportunities for collaboration between producers, retailers, charities, and innovators to design a more resilient, resource-efficient food system,” he continued.
“While the UK currently has no mandatory food waste targets, our national strategy aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 and relies on voluntary initiatives such as the Courtauld Commitment 2030.”
“Businesses can get ahead by embracing circular methods such as improved waste tracking, process redesign, and investment in circular infrastructure. This will not only support compliance in the EU but also unlock cost savings and efficiency gains, allowing businesses to remain agile in response to potential regulatory changes in the UK.”
