Following negotiations between its 27 member states, the EU has introduced 30% reduction targets on food waste generated by households, retailers and restaurants. The goals are to be met by 2030. Waste generated by food processing and manufacturing will also be cut by 10% compared to 2021-2023 levels. The bloc wastes almost 60 million tons of food annually, at an estimated loss of €132 billion ($155 billion), according to the European Commission. Food waste also has a significant climate impact, generating about 16% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the EU food system. If trashed food were a member state, it would be the fifth largest GHG emitter. In addition, wasting food increases the demand for scarce natural resources such as land and water. The new commitment will be enshrined in an EU directive, which was last updated in 2018 and spells out how to manage, recycle and recover waste. Countries will be given binding reduction targets, but will be able to choose the best way to meet them. Amendments to the waste directive were based partly on a 2024 report from EU parliament rapporteur, Anna Zalewska, who called for promoting consumption of fruit and vegetables that "don't look so pretty" but are "just as edible," and donating food that is unsold but not out-of-date. Piles of fast food packagaing and food on a street Piles of fast food packagaing and food on a street Fast food restaurants will also have to curb food waste under an expanded EU directive Image: Martin Gerten/picture-alliance/dpa Targeting food waste and fashion While individuals in the EU waste on average around 130 kilos (286 pounds) of food per year, they also contribute roughly 15 kilos of textile trash. The EU's Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles aims to create "a whole new sustainable ecosystem for textiles by the end of this decade" by ensuring that producers create clothes that are more durable, repairable and recyclable. This demands a "whole-lifecycle" approach through better availability of re-use and repair services, for example. The goals is also to cut