About ⅓ of all food produced globally is wasted.¹ This astonishing figure is facilitated by the poor legislative framework around food-waste. The EU’s Circular Economy Package (CEP) and more specifically the Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, presents a historic opportunity for Europe to set the bar high for food waste reduction. It already includes some commendable proposals, but in its current form has a number of weaknesses which we feel could be rectified to ensure that the CEP fully supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3. In 2015, the United Nations adopted the SDG 12.3, which sets the target to halve global food waste per capita by 2030.

HCWH Europe supports a circular economy in Europe and, as part of this, the reduction of food waste. The minimisation of waste in food and catering services is a challenge directly affecting European hospitals, where up to 30% of the food served is wasted, according to some studies. The healthcare sector (hospitals in particular), has the opportunity - and in line with the Hippocratic Oath; ‘First do no Harm’ the moral obligation to inspire and guide other sectors at a local, regional, and national level in the proper management of food waste. Reducing food waste saves money, and helps the healthcare sector to reduce its environmental and health impacts.

There will be a historic vote in the European Parliament early next year, to decide the future of food waste in Europe. Sign this petition to tell the EU to comply with SDG 12.3 by setting legally binding targets to cut the EU’s food waste by 50% by 2030, setting a global example.

Join Health Care Without Harm Europe, This Is Rubbish, Friends of the Earth and other European NGOs on the fight against food waste by signing this petition.

Read our position paper to find out what HCWH Europe wants to see implemented on the revision of the Circular Economy Package.

Preview image: Nick Saltmarsh via Flickr cc

[1] Key facts on food loss and waste you should know! | Food & Agricultural Organization of United Nations (FAO)