For the last quarter of 2023, 250 supermarkets or approximately 4,000 points of sale met the reporting obligation of the Waste Management Act for the first time: according to this data, more than 16,200 tons of food were thrown away and almost 4,900 tons were donated, according to a statement from the Ministry of Climate Protection on Friday. Department head Leonore Gewessler (Greens) sees “still great potential to donate more and throw away less”.
The figures show that waste and donations from companies with more than 50 points of sale vary greatly. The ranges vary from 500 to 12,000 kilograms of waste and 400 to 2,500 kilograms of donations per point of sale. “I am confident and expect even greater efforts in the field of retail and appeal: donating more food and throwing away less,” the minister emphasizes.
Of the companies that voluntarily assigned product groups to the waste mountain, the lion’s share (45 percent) consisted of fruit and vegetables, followed by pastries (19 percent) and fresh products (twelve percent). The top donations were fruits and vegetables (30 percent), milk and produce, and baked goods (23 percent each).
Trade spokesperson traces leaks per ministry
“First of all, our dealers are legally obliged to send quarterly reports to the BMK. The Ministry of Climate Protection then leaks the report in advance to selected media. The ministry has had a legal report for weeks stating that publishing the quantities per company – i.e. not aggregated – is contrary to data protection. The actions of the Ministry of Climate Protection, which has been putting the brakes on the legal facilitation of food distribution for years, are completely unacceptable,” criticized trade spokesman Rainer Will.
The biggest problem with food waste lies elsewhere anyway: according to the latest figures, 58 percent of waste comes from private households and 19 percent from restaurants and commercial kitchens. By comparison, the entire food retail and food wholesale sector is only responsible for just under nine percent, according to the spokesperson.
Greenpeace misses the reduction targets
“While the reporting obligation is a good first step, it should also be extended to large companies in food production and catering. “The government must also set binding reduction targets for the individual sectors,” emphasizes Sebastian Theissing-Matei of Greenpeace in Austria. “It cannot be the case that retail companies simply throw away food, while more and more people cannot afford it. “Voluntariness does not work, the government must intervene. Italy, France and the Czech Republic show that this is possible,” said Sebastian Bohrn Mena, spokesperson for the oekoreich initiative.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
