Food Waste

Oregon ODA Adopts Emergency Amendments to Onion Maggot Control Rule in Malheur County

Oregon has implemented emergency amendments to onion waste disposal rules in Malheur County, effective through September 2026, to address a massive surplus of cull onions. Agricultural operations gain increased flexibility for in-field disposal but must strictly adhere to EPA-labeled insecticide requirements for pest management during disposal delays.

9 Apr 2026, 09:52secure.sos.state.or.usUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Opens Climate‑Smart Food Systems Grants for Organics Infrastructure and Food Waste Prevention

Minnesota has launched $22.5 million in grant funding to expand organics composting infrastructure and food waste prevention programs through April 2026. Businesses and institutions can leverage these incentives to offset capital costs for circular economy initiatives and align with state-level climate pollution reduction goals.

6 Apr 2026, 18:32pca.state.mn.usUnited States

Simpler Household Recycling Rules Come Into Force Across England

England’s "Simpler Recycling" framework is now in effect, mandating consistent four-stream household waste collection across most local authorities as of March 2026. This standardisation provides the necessary infrastructure to support the UK’s packaging EPR and 2027 Deposit Return Scheme, streamlining compliance for producers and waste operators.

1 Apr 2026, 19:12gov.ukUnited Kingdom

New York Assembly Proposes State And Local Government Food Waste Prevention And Diversion Act (A10752)

New York introduced legislation (A10752) to mandate food waste reduction, donation, and recycling for state and local government food service operations and their contractors. Businesses contracting with public entities must prepare for phased-in waste diversion thresholds and mandatory source-separation of organic waste.

29 Mar 2026, 18:56assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

Japan CAA and MAFF To Start Food Bank Certification Scheme on 1 April 2026

Japan will launch a voluntary Food Bank Certification System on April 1, 2026, to standardize safety and governance protocols for food donation intermediaries. The scheme enables businesses to mitigate liability and safety risks when donating surplus stock, supporting corporate food waste reduction targets through verified partners.

28 Mar 2026, 20:31caa.go.jpJapan

New York DEC Proposes Amendments To 6 NYCRR Part 350 On Food Donation And Food Scraps Recycling

New York is proposing to significantly expand the scope of its food scraps recycling law by lowering generation thresholds and doubling the mandatory recycling distance starting in 2027. Impacted businesses must prepare for increased operational costs and stricter enforcement as more facilities fall under mandatory donation and diversion requirements through 2029.

28 Mar 2026, 20:28dec.ny.govUnited States

Virginia DEQ and Virginia Energy Open Coal Mine Methane CPRG Grants and Confirm CCAP Deadline Extension

Virginia has opened grant applications for coal mine methane capture and confirmed a June 2026 deadline for its state-wide climate action plan. These funding opportunities and planning milestones signal a shift toward operationalizing methane reduction targets, offering significant capital for infrastructure projects in energy and waste sectors.

28 Mar 2026, 20:26energy.virginia.govUnited States

Italy Adopts Law 36/2026 Delegating Implementation of Selected EU Directives (Legge Di Delegazione Europea 2025)

Italy enacted Law 36/2026 on March 25, 2026, authorizing the government to transpose major EU directives including CSDDD, the Product Liability Directive, and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Businesses should prepare for specific Italian legislative decrees that will formalize national requirements for corporate due diligence, product defect liability, and expanded waste management obligations.

27 Mar 2026, 09:09gazzettaufficiale.itItalyEuropean Union

EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) Warns Norway on 2025 Municipal and Packaging Waste Targets

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has issued an early warning to Norway for being at risk of missing its 2025 municipal and plastic packaging recycling targets. Businesses should anticipate stricter national waste management measures, including enhanced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fee modulation and mandatory separate collection for textiles and bio-waste.

22 Mar 2026, 17:04eftasurv.intNorwayEuropean Economic Area

Austria: Vorarlberg Adopts State Waste Management Plan 2025+ (4th Update)

Vorarlberg has adopted its updated Waste Management Plan 2025+, setting strategic targets for municipal, battery, and construction waste through 2030. Businesses should prepare for stricter collection requirements and potential sanctions for mis-sorting, alongside increased regional monitoring of battery and textile waste streams.

21 Mar 2026, 09:32vorarlberg.atAustria

Joint Statement: Call on the European Commission to Mandate EPR for Food Products

A coalition of EU stakeholders is calling for mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for food products to be included in the forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act. This move signals a potential shift toward producer-funded bio-waste management, requiring food companies to integrate waste prevention and collection costs into their business models.

13 Mar 2026, 06:23eeb.orgEuropean Union

Spain: NGO Alleges Valdemoro Breaches Law 7/2022 Brown-Bin Bio-Waste Duty

An NGO report alleges that the Valdemoro municipality is breaching Spanish Law 7/2022 by failing to provide mandatory separate bio-waste collection infrastructure. This highlights growing legal and financial risks for local authorities and waste contractors as enforcement of circular economy mandates and 'pay-as-you-throw' fee structures intensifies.

12 Mar 2026, 09:52ecologistasenaccion.orgSpain

Welsh Government Updates Code Of Practice For Separate Collection Of Waste Materials From 6 April 2026

The Welsh Government has updated its statutory Code of Practice for separate waste collection, bringing hospitals into full scope and clarifying separation requirements for six waste streams from April 6, 2026. Businesses and public bodies in Wales must audit waste infrastructure and service contracts to ensure compliance with strict segregation rules or face unlimited fines and civil penalties.

12 Mar 2026, 09:48gov.walesUnited Kingdom

USDA AMS Proposes Extension of Inedible Disposition Deadline for California Almonds

The USDA is proposing a permanent 60-day extension to the disposal deadline for inedible California almonds to address record-high volumes of non-compliant product. This change offers handlers critical operational flexibility to manage supply chain backlogs caused by climate-driven crop quality issues without increasing regulatory reporting burdens.

10 Mar 2026, 17:34govinfo.govUnited States

California AB 2779 Would Exempt Dietary Supplements From Food Date Labelling Requirements

California introduced AB 2779 to exempt dietary supplements from upcoming uniform food date labeling requirements scheduled to take effect in July 2026. If passed, supplement manufacturers would avoid the mandate to use standardized "BEST if Used by" or "USE by" phrasing, providing greater labeling flexibility compared to other food categories.

10 Mar 2026, 12:46leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Connecticut Bill HB05524 Proposes PFAS Straw Ban and Single-Use Item Restrictions

Connecticut Bill HB05524 proposes a ban on PFAS-containing single-use straws and restricts the use of polystyrene food containers and single-use service items. Manufacturers and food service providers must prepare for stricter material restrictions and operational shifts toward waste reduction and chemical-free food contact materials.

10 Mar 2026, 12:20legiscan.comUnited States

Netherlands NVWA Delays Implementation of EU Emergency Slaughter Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004

The Netherlands is delaying the implementation of expanded EU emergency slaughter rules, maintaining current restrictive procedures until the second half of 2026. Food and livestock operators must manage a period of regulatory divergence from EU standards while the national government redesigns its inspection and enforcement framework.

9 Mar 2026, 18:24nvwa.nlEuropean UnionNetherlands

Austria – ÖWAV Publishes Expert Papers on PFAS in Aquatic Environments and Biogenic Waste in the Circular Economy

The Austrian Water and Waste Management Association (ÖWAV) has released influential expert papers on PFAS in aquatic environments and biogenic waste management. These technical references will likely steer future Austrian regulatory standards for water treatment and waste recovery, signaling tighter operational oversight for industrial discharges and waste streams.

3 Mar 2026, 13:13oewav.atAustria

US Senate Introduces Opportunities in Organic Act (S. 3717)

The US Senate has introduced the Opportunities in Organic Act (S. 3717) to significantly expand federal financial and technical support for organic certification and transition through 2031. This development signals a shift toward more robust organic supply-chain infrastructure, potentially lowering market entry costs for producers and handlers.

23 Feb 2026, 19:09govinfo.govUnited States

France National Strategy for Food, Nutrition and Climate 2025/2030 (SNANC)

France has launched its 2025-2030 National Strategy for Food, Nutrition, and Climate, establishing a cross-government framework to align public health, agricultural sovereignty, and decarbonization goals. Food and beverage operators should prepare for stricter nutritional thresholds, mandatory environmental labeling, and increased supply chain transparency as this strategy evolves into specific regulatory requirements.

13 Feb 2026, 11:56agriculture.gouv.frFrance