Given the high rate of global food waste and the accompanying social, economic, and environmental challenges posed by this global issue, a growing number of countries are taking action to reduce food waste.
This study, a collaboration between The Global FoodBanking Network, Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, and Global Methane Hub, examines similarities and differences between “food waste deterrence policies” (policies that restrict or ban food waste disposal or require food donation) in three countries that have enacted such a policy: South Korea, France, and Peru.
The analysis looks at the country context of the policy enactments, the development of the policies over time, and any published literature on their impact. The study also used semi-structured interviews of key informants in each country to understand stakeholders’ perspectives on each law’s successes and challenges. The goal of this study was to gather insights into the opportunities, obstacles, and best practices around implementing food waste deterrence policies that could help inform the development of effective food waste deterrence measures in other locations in the future.
Authors
Heather Latino, Emily Broad Leib, Regan Plekenpol, Chloe Dyer, Kyla Duffy, and Noelle Musolino at the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, with invaluable research and contributions by Ana Catalina Suárez Peña and Maria Isabela Molina Maestre of The Global FoodBanking Network and Amandine Gatien-Tournat.
The Global FoodBanking Network
Food banking offers a solution to both chronic hunger and the climate crisis. GFN works with partners in over 50 countries to recover and redirect food to those who need it. In 2023, our Network provided food to more than 40 million people, reducing food waste and creating healthy, resilient communities. We help the food system function as it should: nourishing people and the planet together. Learn more at foodbanking.org.
Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic
FLPC serves partner organizations and communities by providing guidance on cutting-edge food system legal and policy issues, while engaging law students in the practice of food law and policy. FLPC focuses on increasing access to healthy foods; supporting sustainable food production and food systems; and reducing waste of healthy, wholesome food. For more information, visit chlpi.org/FLPC.
Global Methane Hub
The research included in this report was made possible through funding by the Global Methane Hub. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations presented in this report are those of FLPC and GFN alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Global Methane Hub.
