Food waste, a problem that is also increasing pressure on climate, water, and land resources.

Spoiled or wasted food is responsible for between 8% and 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions and in Spain the statistics don’t point positively.

In 2018, Spanish homes threw out nearly 1.4 billion kilos/litres of food. More than 84% of products are deposited directly in the trash without even being cooked, a problem that is also increasing pressure on climate, water, and land resources.

It’s vicious circle hot weather increases food waste, but waste also contributes to rising temperatures.

Spain’s national strategy to combat food waste places special emphasis on consumer responsibility. But activists want the Spanish government to go a step further and introduce a law against food waste at all levels of the supply and consumption chains.

Spain should take note of it’s neighbouring country France. In 2015, France made the pioneering decision to ban large supermarkets (more than 400 square meters in surface area) from throwing out unsold but edible food products. Instead of wasting the food, they have to donate it to charity or use it for compost.