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Food waste in international comparison – Who does what?

Kira Zabe

May 9, 2025 · Reading time: 3 Minutes
Lebensmittelverschwendung im internationalen Vergleich

🇫🇷 France – Legally Against Waste

France is considered a pioneer in the fight against food waste. Since 2016, supermarkets have been prohibited from throwing away edible food. Instead, they must donate or repurpose it. Schools and universities are increasingly focusing on educational programs for sustainable nutrition. As a result, France is now among the countries with the lowest proportion of wasted food in Europe.

🇰🇷 South Korea – Smart Waste Fees

In South Korea, households pay for their food waste by weight – through RFID chips in garbage bins or special garbage bags with barcodes. This financial incentive has led to South Korea now recycling 95% of its organic waste. The system is combined with extensive educational efforts and the promotion of biogas and composting facilities.

🇩🇰 Denmark – The movement comes from below

Denmark relies on the power of the community. Initiatives such as “Stop Spild Af Mad” (Stop Food Waste) have sparked societal debates. Moreover, supermarkets like Wefood exclusively offer food products past their best before date – and at low prices. The acceptance among the population is high, and schools are actively incorporating the topic as well.

🇯🇵 Japan – Tradition Meets Technology

In Japan, food waste is also culturally associated with a strong sense of shame – this helps. Additionally, there is a focus on innovation: companies use AI for better inventory planning or apps that indicate when food should be consumed in the household. Bento shops also use data to precisely adjust their offerings to the daily demand.

🇩🇪 Germany – Between Movement and Potential

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Germany is making progress: Initiatives such as Too Good To Go, Foodsharing or apps like the Smantry App / Smantry help to reduce waste in everyday life. Legally, however, it is not as advanced as France – although the pressure is increasing. 40% of the wasted food occurs in private households – this shows how important individual solutions are.

🌍 What we can learn from it

Whether through smart technology, legal requirements, or social movements: the fight against food waste needs many perspectives – and all are important. The good news: every single step counts.

With the Smantry App / Smantry you can start right at home – with smart pantry management, reminders for expiring food, and clever shopping planning.

👉 Discover the app now and make your contribution: smantry.com

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