A look into food regulations in other countries.

Scotland has committed to work against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to halve food waste by 2030. In 2021 Scotland wasted over 1.000 million tonnes of food which equals 189 kilos per person seeing an increase in recent years, accounting for 6% of Scotland’s total carbon footprint.

Big steps must be taken if Scotland is to hit its target goal, and that effort must start in people’s homes as 51% of food waste comes from households.

The leader of Edinburgh’s Climate Change Institute Programme, Izi Robe, speaks about how Scotland’s food recycling has a long way to go.

- For us to make our goals and improve the system we at the institute work on helping businesses reduce their food waste by finding factors that works to motivate them and making a longer-term plan. Most often these factors are the possibility of saving money by reducing their food waste, she says.

Some countries are far ahead in the game of combatting the issue of food waste that Scotland can look to for inspiration.

France banned food waste in grocery stores in 2016, implementing high fees and even jail time for businesses breaking the law. Now the stores must donate any edible food instead of throwing it in the bin.

Norway has done work in changing consumers understanding about the “best before” dates on food. Brands have now added “best before, but often good after” and a series of tips on how to check if the food is good to eat after the date on the packaging. The test includes using the senses to see, look, smell and taste the product before deeming it expired.

The country also has food stores deemed only for goods close to expiration date at a discounted price.

Denmark reduced its food waste by 25% in only 5 years following a nonprofit organization called Stop “Spild Af Mad” meaning “stop food waste” raising awareness and creating impactful campaigns.

Japan has taken the approach of focusing on education from an early age on the impact of food waste in hopes of changing consumer habits and creating an understanding of the gravity of the issue. They have also created a national food bank that rescue food and redistribute it to people in need.