Italy Passes Law To Give Away Unsold Food To Charity Instead Of Dumping

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Waste not, want not

Italy has passed a new law that encourages supermarkets and similar establishments to send unsold food to charity instead of tossing them in the dumpster. The country joins a growing list of nations that are trying to combat food waste.

The bill was passed by the lower house of the Italian parliament and now awaits approval from the Senate.

Once the bill is passed as law, supermarkets and retailers will be prohibited from throwing out unsold food. Restaurants will also be encouraging customers to take home “doggy bags” for unfinished food. The country will even give garbage collection tax breaks to businesses that partake in the initiative.

Italy is the second country in Europe after France to implement such a law. France penalizes the offenders who throw away unsold food with a fine, but the Italian bill focuses more on finding a way to utilize unsold food. Food that has been past the expiry date but is unspoiled will also still be able to be donated.

According to Maruizio Martina, the Italian Agriculture Minister, Italy has “550 million tons of excess food each year.”

The approach has many economical, environmental and moral benefits, so the bill has received much support across all political parties.

By: Maytinee Kramer