Containerization - could 'saving' food soon become legal?
Miriam Weitz
February 24, 2023
What is dumpster diving anyway
People who dumpster dive retrieve expired but still edible food from garbage bins. Other terms for this are 'Dumpster Diving' or 'Trash Diving'. Many dumpster divers do this to make a statement against food waste and the throwaway culture. However, needy individuals also resort to dumpster diving, simply because they cannot afford food otherwise. For such people, dumpster diving is often associated with a great deal of shame.
Regarding the figures on how many tons of food are thrown away annually, there are only estimates. The federal government assumes 11 million tons, while WWF estimates 18 million tons. Private households discard an additional 6.5 million tons and account for about 78% of the total food waste. So if you want to do something about it, the Speisekammer App is an ideal tool.
The government has now recognized the problem and launched the initiative "Too Good for the Bin". The aim is to help people reconnect with their food.
Dumpster diving is illegal
The problem with the matter is that the containers, trash cans, and waste bins are usually located on private property. Until the time of disposal, the contents belong to the property owner. Dumpster divers are therefore committing theft and also trespassing when they fish for expired food in other people's trash cans. In 2019, two women were sentenced to community service by a Bavarian local court because they were caught dumpster diving. The two even took their case to the Federal Constitutional Court, which, however, rejected the complaint. Jesuit priest Jörg Alt reported himself after dumpster diving. The food he saved was, by the way, distributed among the needy.
Will containerization soon be decriminalized?
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) and Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir (The Greens) are considering abolishing penalties for dumpster diving, provided that no trespassing occurs. Therefore, anyone who damages a fence or pries open a gate would still be committing a criminal offense. However, a change in federal law is not planned. The new guidelines are to be decided by the states themselves.
This initiative was also proposed in 2019. At that time, the Hamburg Minister of Justice Till Steffen (the Greens) submitted a motion at the Conference of Ministers of Justice to legalize dumpster diving. However, this was rejected by the states led by the CDU, on the grounds that dumpster diving is both undignified and hygienically questionable, and also because the issue of liability was unresolved. The trade sector is also against legalizing dumpster diving. Likewise, food banks view it critically, although the association is indeed in favor of decriminalizing dumpster diving. They also demand that food donations be simplified. In France, by the way, wasting food is a punishable offense. Supermarkets over 400 sqm in size are legally obliged to pass on discarded food to the needy. Those who do not comply can expect a fine. In Canada, dumpster diving in public spaces is legal. An improvement in the value chain could also help to reduce food waste.
By the way: Many food retailers in Germany already donate to food banks and other similar projects.
Alternatives to Dumpster Diving
However, there are also other ways to combat food waste - completely legally.
Often in supermarkets and discount stores, you can find deals on food items that are close to their expiration date. This is also a way to save money. Another option is to create a meal plan. To do this, you sit down one day and plan out the meals for the entire week - and then go shopping. The groceries you buy can be logged in the Speisekammer App, as some products don't need to be used up all at once when cooking.
This also makes a good transition to our next tip. Be creative in the kitchen. Leftovers and scraps can often be turned into something great.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!
Get the most out of your Smantry App: Activate these premium features!
🖼️ Private photos for your articles
Make your inventory management visual! With the feature "Upload Your Own Images" you can add a photo to each item – for example, of the packaging, the jar, or the portion in the freezer. This is especially helpful if you share with others in a community or if you want to visually remember your supplies better.
Activation: Open app → Account (last tab in the mobile app) → Settings → "Activate Personal Pictures"
🔍 Target nutritional information
The app automatically displays calorie and nutritional information – super convenient when you're shopping or eating mindfully. Don't need this info right now or want a cleaner view? You can also simply hide the display!
Control:Profile → Account Settings → Enable “Hide Nutritional Information”, to hide it.
💶 Prices & Expenses at a Glance
If you want to know how much you spend on which item or how much money is lying dormant in your pantry, the Price Entry feature can help you. With it, you can plan your shopping even better and even track your budget.
Activation: Open app → Account (last tab in the mobile app) → Settings → “Enable price input”
💡 Prepper Mode: Even More Control
The Prepper Mode has been introduced for those who really want to keep track of everything – including minimum quantities, emergency supplies, and individual notes for serious situations. It's also useful if you just want to make sure you never run out of anything important.
Activation: Open app → Account (last tab in the mobile app) → Settings → “Show Prepper Information”
Here's how you can find your account settings
In the mobile app you can find the settings easily in the last tab on the far right (Account). In the web app click on Account → "Settings".
All mentioned features are part of the Premium-Version. If you don't have a premium license yet, feel free to check in the app or on app.speisekammer.app/upgrade – there's also a family license available!
✨ Conclusion: You have more options than you think. Activate the hidden premium features now and get the most out of your Smantry app. Because smart inventory management starts with the right tools.
If you have any questions about activation, feel free to contact support or check out our Help Center. And if you have feature requests – we always welcome your feedback!
Never forget leftovers again: Soon you'll be able to mark opened products 🧃✨
💡 The new feature: Mark products as "opened"
With the upcoming update, you will soon be able to specify in the Pantry App when a product was opened. This way, you always keep track:
- What is already open
- Since when it has been open
This is particularly useful for fresh or perishable food items, but also for sauces, canned goods, spreads, or snacks.
🔔 Reminders included
Of course, if you wish, you will also be automatically reminded, when an opened product should soon be consumed – all in keeping with the motto: Use rather than waste.
🎯 Why this is important
Food waste often doesn't occur while shopping – but at home, in everyday life. If we know better what is open and should be consumed, it becomes easier to make the right decisions. And that's exactly what the Pantry App wants to support you with even better with the new feature.
🛠 When will it be time?
We are currently working hard on the implementation – the feature is expected to be rolled out in the next update. So you will be able to test it very soon yourself.
If you want to participate in the testing or have feedback, feel free to write to us in support. We look forward to your ideas!
With the Pantry App, stockpiling becomes not only more sustainable, but also easier – step by step.
Stay tuned – it's getting exciting! 💚
🌍 Small ideas – big impact: These companies help you save food in everyday life
🍏 Foodsi (Poland)
This mobile app connects users with restaurants, bakeries and cafés offering surplus food at reduced prices—especially valuable in Polish cities like Warsaw or Kraków.
🛍️ OLIO – Share Surplus Food with Neighbors
OLIO connects neighbors and local businesses to share surplus food instead of throwing it away. Users can offer or request free food via the app — reducing waste and building community.
🍌 Imperfect Foods – Selling "Ugly" but Edible Food
This U.S.-based grocery delivery service rescues "imperfect" produce and surplus goods that major supermarkets reject due to appearance or overstocking — and delivers them directly to your door.
🔗 https://www.imperfectfoods.com
📦 Dispatch Goods – Reusable Packaging for Takeout
Dispatch Goods partners with restaurants to replace single-use containers with reusable packaging. This reduces packaging waste — and their system tracks and collects the containers for reuse.
🔗 https://www.dispatchgoods.com
🥬 Fresh.Land – Farm-to-Consumer to Prevent Waste (DK)
Fresh.Land shortens the supply chain by connecting consumers directly with farmers. This means fresher produce, longer shelf life, and fewer losses due to long storage or transport.
🧊 ColdHubs – Solar-Powered Cold Storage in Nigeria
ColdHubs installs solar-powered cold rooms for small farmers and markets to store perishable foods. This innovation significantly extends shelf life and reduces spoilage in hot climates.
🧃 Winnow – AI to Track Food Waste in Commercial Kitchens
Winnow’s smart scales and AI help restaurants and hotels measure and reduce food waste. By showing how much food is wasted and why, kitchens can adapt their behavior.
🔗 https://www.winnowsolutions.com
Why this matters for you
When you use the Smantry app, you can track and manage rescued food items in your pantry – whether they came from Foodsi, Karma, or another initiative. We’re building integrations to log these products, set reminders, and reduce waste in your household.
Know any other businesses doing this well?
We’d love to hear about them! Email your favourites to kira@mantry.com or write us in the chat or social media. Your tip might inspire others and be featured next. 🌿