According to the World Bank, food loss and waste occurs mainly in consumption and distribution stages, with challenges linked to state policies as well as consumer behaviour. Shutterstock

According to the World Bank, food loss and waste occurs mainly in consumption and distribution stages, with challenges linked to state policies as well as consumer behaviour. Shutterstock

Just one day after it opened, the petition has already received nearly 600 signatures.  

Petition 1233 author Josette Heitz is calling for legislation which would make it mandatory for large supermarkets to donate their unsold but still edible foodstuff to charitable institutions. Fines should be incurred for those who do not comply, the petition states.

“Considering the huge amount of raw materials and energy needed to produce food,” the author writes, “it is essential to develop strategies and laws to avoid, or at least drastically reduce, unnecessary waste disposal in the future.”

Figures released by the World Bank indicate that food loss and waste amounts to around 1.3 bn tonnes per year, or 30% of all food globally. 

The petition requires 4,500 signatures in order for it to be debated in parliament. Closure for signatures for petition 1233 is 30 April.