In the year 2024, Spain faced a significant issue with the disposal of unwanted produce from fruits and vegetables, topping the list of food waste.
In 2024, Spain made strides in reducing food waste, with households remaining the primary source of waste, accounting for 97.5% of the total food waste in the country. The per capita waste in Spain was 24.38 kilos or liters per person, a reduction of almost 20% since 2020.
The Spanish government passed a new law against food waste, promoting the use of reusable packaging, donations of surpluses, and the use of ripe foods. This law prioritizes the donation and social use of excess food, before its elimination. Those who do not comply face sanctions of up to 500,000 euros in cases of intentional destruction of products suitable for consumption.
The new law obligates all agents in the food chain to implement a prevention plan to identify and reduce critical points where waste is generated. This has led to a significant decrease in food waste in the restaurant and out-of-home consumption sector, amounting to 28.03 million kilos or liters, an 8.8% decrease from the previous year.
The percentage of national total food waste in the restaurant sector in 2024 was 2.5%, the lowest figure since records began. Within the domestic sphere, 77.6% of waste corresponds to unused products, mainly fruits (32.4%) and vegetables (13.8%).
Minister Luis Planas attributed the improvement in food waste reduction to multiple factors, including greater appreciation of food, the expansion of remote work, growing environmental awareness, and more efficient planning of purchases and portions.
The global waste rate fell to 3.7% of the total of foods and beverages acquired in Spain in 2024. In 2024, more than 51 million kilos or liters of food were not wasted, representing a 4.4% decrease from 2023.
Foods represent 54.5%, beverages 43.4%, and snacks 2.1% of out-of-home waste in 2024. Interestingly, 22.4% of domestic waste are prepared dishes, such as salads or legume-based dishes.
The approval of the new law faced several obstacles, including political changes and lack of consensus on key technical aspects. Despite these challenges, the law has proven to be a successful initiative in reducing food waste and promoting sustainable practices.
Reducing food waste benefits the environment, the economy, and can help create a more fair and sustainable world for all. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that approximately one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, amounting to around 1.3 billion tons annually. By reducing food waste, Spain is setting an example for other countries to follow.
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