Food waste remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges today, with millions of tonnes of edible food discarded each year across the European Union. According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), approximately 132 kilograms of food waste per person were generated in the EU in 2022, amounting to just over 59 million tonnes of food waste. The environmental and economic impacts are high, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As the European Union prepares to adopt binding food waste reduction targets, cities are showing how action at the urban level can be a powerful tool in the fight against food waste.

Today, representatives from Guimaraes, Lille Metropole, and Tallinn met with the European Commission’s health and food safety directorate to showcase the role cities play in tackling food waste and discuss how the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste can further support urban efforts in implementing the upcoming food waste reduction targets.

Klaus Berend, Director of Food Safety, Sustainability, and Innovation at the European Commission DG SANTE, and Chair of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste, underscored the importance of cities in tackling this issue: “Cities play a key role in our collective efforts to reduce food waste. The actions of densely populated urban areas in monitoring food waste and implementing food waste prevention strategies are crucial to achieving the EU’s food waste reduction targets.” He added, “The Commission recognises the unique position of cities to engage citizens and tailor actions to local needs and will continue to work closely with them on a bilateral basis as well as through the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste.”

Guimaraes: educating and engaging the next generation

In Guimaraes, Portugal, the 360.come project is about education and community involvement driving significant reductions in food waste. It offers interactive educational sessions on food sustainability for students, training for teachers, and awareness raising activities and resources for schools and the wider community.

Over 300 students participated in sessions, ranging from exploring how dietary choices impact natural resources, to audits on canteen waste helping them monitor and analyse waste patterns, to exploring creative ways to reuse surplus food or food scraps.

The 360.come initiative is aligned with Guimaraes’ broader sustainability efforts, supporting municipal strategies on food systems and waste reduction. It was integrated into the city’s environmental education program PEGADAS, which includes other projects supporting food redistribution efforts, such as the collaboration with Re-food Guimaraes.

Additionally, 360.come contributed directly to RRRCICLO, Guimaraes’ municipal circular economy strategy encouraging waste separation, community composting, and sustainable consumption practices, and engaging local businesses in food waste prevention. These initiatives reinforce the city’s commitment as part of the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities to achieving climate neutrality by 2030.

Lille Metropole: tackling food waste one canteen at a time

Lille Metropole in northern France is tackling food waste head-on, particularly in the realm of school canteens. With 140 to 185 grams of food wasted per person each day, representing 25 to 40% of the food produced, the metropolitan authority launched a program aiming to help 200 canteens by 2029. By 2024, 40 canteens had already participated showing the first results: a 30% reduction in food waste over a year. In addition, based on feedback, the metropole has produced a methodological guide so that schools can launch the process independently.

In 2024, Lille Metropole also participated in the European Week for Waste Reduction, organising 21 workshops entitled ‘I waste less, I eat better, so I save money!’ In these sessions, participants learned practical ways to reduce waste at home and received an anti-waste recipe booklet to help put those lessons into practice.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy outlined in Lille Metropole’s Local Program for the Prevention of Household and Similar Waste 2023-2029, which includes a dedicated budget of 1.2 million euros specifically dedicated to food waste prevention. The program’s aim is to reduce waste by 50 kg per capita by 2030, with a particular focus on bio-waste. Through a systematic approach and clear objectives, Lille is not just making a dent in food waste but also fostering a long-term culture of sustainability.

Tallinn: circular economy and community-based solutions

Tallinn, Estonia, is setting an ambitious example for other cities with its circular economy development plan for 2035. This plan places food waste at the heart of the city’s strategy, alongside other key areas such as waste management, environmental protection, and sustainable food consumption. The city has already introduced several innovative solutions to reduce food waste, including its food cupboard project, which collect surplus food from citizens, shops and catering services. This initiative, developed in cooperation with FudLoop, has proven highly effective in redistributing food that would otherwise go to waste.

Tallinn is also working closely with the Foodbank, which plays a central role in distributing food to people in need. The city provides financial support to the Foodbank, covering rent and salaries, to ensure its continued operation. In addition, public event organizers in Tallinn are required to follow guidelines that prevent food waste, with surplus food being redistributed rather than discarded. This proactive approach has led to a shift in the local culture, where food waste is no longer seen as inevitable but as something that can be prevented.

The city’s circular economy development plan for 2035 further expands these efforts, with a focus on creating sustainable food consumption patterns and supporting food donation systems. Tallinn has already started implementing food waste reduction strategies in schools and kindergartens, and plans are in place to install food cupboards at educational institutions to make food sharing a more accessible option for students and staff.

The role of cities in achieving EU food waste reduction targets

As the EEA’s latest report on waste prevention highlights, more evidence-based measures and national-level strategies are needed to accelerate progress. The EU’s food waste reduction targets are crucial, but without a clear commitment to integrating food waste prevention into climate and biodiversity policies, the full potential of these goals will remain out of reach.

Cities like Guimaraes, Lille Metropole, and Tallinn serve as exemplars of how local governments are not just responding to food waste but actively working to reduce it. Their initiatives are proof that local action, backed by the right support and funding, can have a significant impact on the global fight against food waste.

As cities continue to innovate and collaborate with the EU, the work presented to DG SANTE will help shape the future of food waste reduction efforts across Europe. These initiatives highlight the power of cities in turning challenges into solutions, and the lessons learned are sure to inspire others to take similar action in their own communities.