THE EU’S circular economy package could include new rules to ensure more unwanted food is diverted to charities for redistribution. All member states may also have to closely monitor food waste as levels hit 100 million tonnes.
The proposals are contained within a document leaked from Brussels. ENDS Europe suggested the paper is “possibly from August” and covers the “non-legislative part” of the new raft of policies.
Due to be published shortly, the circular economy package relates to waste, recycling and resource use. The original plan, binned by the incoming commission in February, focused almost exclusively on waste.
Redistribution of unsold, edible food is currently a hot topic. In France there were plans to introduce new legislation; meanwhile, in the UK, Labour’s Food Waste (Reduction) Bill will have its second reading in the House of Commons early next year.
The UK government is currently opposed to a binding target on food waste. Scotland, however, is set to publish one later this year.
