The report warns that current financing models leave municipalities and taxpayers carrying most of the burden of food waste management. It proposes shifting part of the financial and operational responsibility to companies that place food on the EU market.
Reducing food waste
Food waste is responsible for an estimated 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. EU citizens generate around 130 kilograms of food waste per person every year. Although Member States have been obliged to separately collect biowaste since 2024, only about 26% of kitchen waste is currently captured, with the rest sent to landfill or incineration.
Under the EU Waste Framework Directive, Member States must meet binding 2030 food waste reduction targets: a 30% per capita reduction at household, retail and restaurant level, and a 10% reduction at manufacturing level. The report argues that without new economic instruments, these targets are unlikely to be achieved.
Tackling waste at source
EPRFP would apply to wholesalers, importers and retailers for their own white-label products. By targeting actors that design, package, label and market food, the scheme aims to tackle waste upstream, including decisions on portion sizes, “best before” dates, promotions and distribution.
The report presents EPRFP as a practical tool to support implementation of the Waste Framework Directive, reduce food waste in support of Europe’s bioeconomy, circularity and climate goals, and secure stable bio-waste feedstock for Europe’s bio-based industries, while regenerating degraded soils through compost and digestate.
Joan Marc Simon, Founder of Zero Waste Europe, said: “Now that we have EU targets on food waste and the obligation to separately collect bio-waste, we need the economic instruments to meet them. EPR for food products can mobilise the funding necessary to reduce food waste and increase separate collection of organics.”
Dirk Carrez, Executive Director of BIC, added: “Europe needs to look at all options to use the untapped potential of bio-waste. EPR for food products can help to increase the availability of bio-waste, including for biomaterials. Turning such waste into a feedstock for the biobased industries creates circular loops.”
BIC is publishing the report today (20 January 2026) in its online Knowledge Hub. Further information is available on the BIC website.
Image: Fevziie/Shutterstock
