By 2027, all EU Member States must have translated the new food waste directive into national law, and by 2030 they must meet binding reduction targets: 10% less food waste in processing and production, and 30% less per capita in retail, distribution, hospitality and households. The Netherlands is pursuing these goals through an advanced voluntary framework led by Stichting Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling (Foundation Food Waste Free United), while Spain has adopted Law 1/2025 on the Prevention of Food Loss and Avoidable Food Waste, fully in force since 3 April 2026.
Against this backdrop, Food Waste Free United visited the 14th Congress and Meeting Point Against Food Waste last month in Madrid, organized by AECOC (Spanish Association of Manufactureres and Producers), to explore practical collaboration with Spain: sharing what works, what can be scaled up, and how to move fastest from pilots to impact.
Beeld: © Canva / Images
Food waste awareness in Spain
Spain’s law applies to the entire food chain, from primary production and processing to distribution, hospitality and catering, food distribution organizations, and public administrations. It focuses on preventing food waste, raising awareness, and promoting education and knowledge creation among all actors in the food chain. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) sets the legal framework, but the competent authorities of the autonomous communities (17 in total) are responsible for enforcing the law.
Consumer food waste report 2025
On 10 September, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, presented Spain’s food waste report for 2025 (in Spanish). In summary:
- In 2025, Spain wasted 1.13 billion kg/l of food and drink, equivalent to 24.3 kg/l per person per year, with a 3.7% waste rate (same as 2024).
- Compared with 2020, total food waste in Spain has fallen by almost 20% (about 269 million kg/l less).
- Around 97.5% of food waste occurs at home, mainly products thrown away exactly as purchased, with fruit and vegetables making up 46% of household waste. (Source: MAPA)
- Waste of prepared dishes at home has dropped significantly since 2021, while waste of unused products has slightly increased, and the fridge is now the origin of most discarded recipes.
- Outside the home, food waste is much lower, better managed and awareness is higher, but young consumers still waste the most and remain a key target group for improvement. (Source: MAPA)
AECOC food waste committee
On 29 September, the UN International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, AECOC’s retail Food Waste Committee organized the 14th edition of its yearly Congress and Meeting Point Against Food Waste in Madrid. The committee was founded in 2012, and is made up of around 30 leading companies and includes the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and food banks among its members.
This year, the AECOC congress again brought together around 200 professionals from companies, public administrations and third‑sector organizations to review developments in food waste and share best practices. AECOC and the company Comerso presented the results of their study with companies and organisations on the real impact of the new law on food donations. The study concluded that:
- Companies show a positive attitude and a clear willingness to improve under the new law.
- It is essential to provide training and information on the law and its implementation, especially to small and medium‑sized enterprises, since 17% still do not make donations.
- Communication about tax benefits must be strengthened, as 45% of companies either do not know about them or do not use them.
- Solutions are needed to improve the logistics of donations, particularly in rural areas.
- Companies should actively communicate their donations, as this strengthens public trust and highlights their social commitment.
The LAN team in Spain also used AECOC’s yearly meeting point to showcase Dutch innovations that reduce waste or valorize by‑products. This year we were pleased to count on the presence of Sanne Stroosnijder from the Foundation Food Waste Free United (Stichting Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling). Here you can find (in Dutch, with Spanish subtitles) a short impression of her visit.
Looking ahead
The European Commission will already review progress and ambition of the new food waste directive by the end of 2027, including whether to expand the scope to more parts of the chain and set new targets for 2035. This timeline and these binding goals make close collaboration in Europe essential to harmonize approaches, share best practices and jointly ensure that all Member States can realistically meet and sustain these reductions.
Looking ahead, the LAN team will continue to facilitate opportunities to exchange experiences and tools, to learn from different implementation approaches and to identify areas where ongoing exchange can help both countries progress towards the European targets.
Sources: AECOC/Comerso / MAPA