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.

The Smantry App offers various licenses so that you can find the exact solution that fits your household and your needs. Whether alone, with your family, or in a larger community – here you will learn about the options available and what you should pay attention to.

Free to use – The basic version

Want to try it out first? No problem! The basic version of the Smantry App is free and already offers you some important features for managing your inventory. However, there are limitations in this version, such as the number of manageable items and synchronization with other users.

The Premium License – More Features for Better Overview

With the Premium License you get all the advanced features of the app, including: ✅ Unlimited inventory management ✅ Automatic synchronization of your inventory across multiple devices ✅ Advanced statistics and reminders ✅ custom product images

The premium license is ideal if you want full control over your inventory and don't want any restrictions. It is available as a monthly or annual subscription, or as a one-time payment for lifetime access.

The family license – Sharing with your loved ones

Do you want to organize your pantry with your family or housemates? Then the Family license is perfect for you! It allows you to share the premium features with multiple people in your household.

Here's how to get the family license:

Purchase a premium license: Someone from your household purchases the premium license.

Invite family members: Write to our support and we will add the additional members. Soon users should be able to do it themselves, but for now, the support team handles it.

Start shared usage: All members now have access to the same inventory lists and can manage groceries together.

Community in the household vs. membership of a license – What's the difference?

• Household community: This refers to the feature that allows you to share supplies with people in your household. You can shop together, keep lists, and update inventories.
• Membership of a license: This specifically concerns the family license. If you join a premium license, you will receive the same premium benefits as the license holder.

Where can you complete the licenses?

🇫🇷 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

Germany is making progress: Initiatives such as Too Good To Go, Foodsharing or apps like the Speisekammer 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 Speisekammer App / Smantry you can start right at home – with smart pantry management, reminders for expiring food, and clever shopping planning.