One of the objectives of the United Nations (UN) for the coming years is to halve food waste, a problem that affects all countries in the world, especially the most populated ones. It is estimated that 931 million tonnes of food are thrown away every year, a figure that we should try to reduce as much as possible if we want to help solve one of the biggest problems facing us as a species: how a world population that is constantly growing and with limited resources will feed itself in the future.
In Spain, according to data from 2020, an average of 31 kg of food was wasted per person, due to inefficiency throughout the production chain, from food harvesting or retail, to its preparation in homes, bars or restaurants. This is why the government is about to implement a law, as countries such as France and Italy have already done, to reduce this waste, encourage better use and make us all more aware of the problem.
Takeaway food packaging
All actors in the food chain will be obliged, from January 2023, to have a prevention plan, identifying where food losses occur and establishing measures to minimise them. The law also establishes where this food should go, with priority being given to human consumption, through donation or redistribution, establishing collaboration agreements with companies, social initiative organisations, food banks or NGOs.
The transformation of unsold foodstuffs that are still in optimal conditions for consumption into products such as juices or jams, among others, is also envisaged. And as a last option, they will be used for animal feed or to obtain compost or biofuels.
Lunch Boxes THEPACK®
How does the Food Waste Law affect the HORECA sector?
Catering companies will also have to assume their share of responsibility and will be obliged to provide consumers with containers so that they can take home, at no additional cost, the food they have not consumed, as well as reflecting this consumer right on the menu or in the establishment itself. This obviously excludes buffet-style establishments and similar establishments.
Window Takeaway Boxes
Having this type of packaging suitable for food use, and which is reusable or easily recyclable, will therefore be essential in a few months’ time. At García de Pou we have been working along these lines for years, manufacturing sustainable packaging for food use for the HORECA channel. Lunch Boxes, American boxes, watertight multipurpose containers and 100% ecological plastic-free containers. Also, paper bags with handles and without handles, with which customers can comfortably take their leftover food to consume it whenever they want.
Watertight American boxes
Food waste harms us all as a society and it is urgent to promote actions that help the development of a circular economy. But this can only be achieved if we all do our part. Some of the conclusions of the study that was carried out before this law was passed reveal some data for reflection. For example, fruit, followed by vegetables, is the most wasted food, the population between 35 and 54 years of age is the most wasteful and a large part of the food that is thrown away has not even been touched.
