Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Require Supermarkets, Restaurants and other Retailers to Donate Food Waste
Closed
120 signatures
What the petition asks
In France, grocery stores and supermarkets must donate unsold food to charity; the UK wastes this food, despite 14.5 million of its residents living in poverty.
Much of this food is wasted before it even reaches its best before date when the product has not spoiled and is still completely edible.
In 2018, the UK produced around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste. The only way we can stop this is by taking action.
Community fridges and food banks could sustainably redistribute food waste to those who need OR want it. As well as tackling food poverty, reducing food waste would reduce carbon emissions. About 6-8% of global human-induced emissions could be reduced if we stop food waste.
This is not just a social concern, it’s an environmental one.
In 2018, the UK produced around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste. The only way we can stop this is by taking action.
Community fridges and food banks could sustainably redistribute food waste to those who need OR want it. As well as tackling food poverty, reducing food waste would reduce carbon emissions. About 6-8% of global human-induced emissions could be reduced if we stop food waste.
This is not just a social concern, it’s an environmental one.
Timeline
| 18 Aug 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 18 Feb 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
120
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
18 Aug 2021
Closed
18 Feb 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.