EU Commission publishes legally binding food waste reduction targets for 2030

As part of a package of measures for a sustainable use of key natural resources that the European Commission revealed on 5 July, the Commission is proposing to set legally binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved by Member States (MS) by 2030, as part of the revision of the Waste Framework Directive.

More specifically, MS are required to take the necessary measures to reduce food waste by the end of 2030:
 

• by 10%, in processing and manufacturing;
• by 30% (per capita), jointly at retail and consumption (restaurants, food services and households).

The legislative proposal includes a formal review of progress made by Member States by the end of 2027. The results of the first EU-wide monitoring of food waste levels carried out in 2020 will serve as a baseline to assess progress towards the targets.

Next steps: The proposal will now be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council in the ordinary legislative procedure.