According to Eurostat figures, the European Union generated around 2020 kilograms of food waste per capita in 131. A colossal number that represents a total loss estimated at 132 billion euros. In households, restaurants and shops, about a tenth of food ends up being thrown away.
These figures have alarmed Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans: "A waste on this scale when 30 million Europeans can only eat a quality meal every other day and hunger is intensifying in the world is simply unacceptable," he insisted. The text, which will be debated by States and MEPs, aims to reduce the unnecessary use of water, fertilizers and energy to produce, process and preserve these foods that end up in the bins.
Binding targets for 2030
Each member state would be required to reduce "the volume of food waste generated in shops, restaurants and catering services and in households" by 30% compared to the overall volume recorded in 2020 – figures calculated "per capita".
Similarly, each State should reduce waste in the agri-food industry (production and processing) by 10%, strengthening the sector's strategies to recover by-products. On the other hand, no objective is assigned to the agricultural sector, which is subject to the vagaries of crops and likely to use its waste as fertilizer or to produce biogas.
In order to achieve these binding targets, States will be able to use waste prevention programmes of their choice, adapted to their agri-food systems and types of cuisine. In addition, work is underway to clarify the indications on use-by dates.
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Brussels recalls that it has already adapted several regulations to simplify food donations or redirect more easily to the production of animal feed products that can no longer be intended for human consumption.
If the planned reductions materialise, this would represent an annual saving of around €400 for a family of four, the Commission estimates.