The World
Aligning with Global Efforts
Action on FLW around the world continues to rise. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3 seeks to reduce per capita global food waste by half at the retail and consumer levels by 2030. International organizations - WRAP to the European Union’s REFRESH, Champions 12.3, and the Consumers Good Forum - are bringing together diverse stakeholders and interests to prevent/reduce FLW in supply chains.
National governments are leading policy changes. France forbids grocery stores, by law, from throwing away or destroying unsold food. Italy, Spain and Denmark support market innovations and have established fiscal incentives to drive down waste. The FAO hosts initiatives in Asia-Pacific under its Save Food program.
Canada is beginning to also do its part. Canadian food industry leaders have begun measuring and monitoring their own food waste. Many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as The Spent Goods Company, are exploring how to process or distribute differently, lessening waste and increasing revenues. Start-ups, young enterprises, and not-for-profits – think Food Mesh, Second Harvest, Food Banks Canada - are expanding their recovery and redistribution efforts, supporting Canadian communities while reducing waste. Canadian governments – from local to federal – are using tactics such as the Love Food Hate Waste Canada campaign to engage consumers.
See how the National Zero Waste Council
continues to provide an umbrella space where emerging Canadian action is guided and highlighted.