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Limits to redistribution: Evidence from France's anti-food waste law

Danklefsen, Mila LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Food loss and waste (FLW) is an urgent global challenge. France pioneered in implementing a binding legal framework that incentivises supermarkets to donate their surplus to charities. In this thesis, I combine responsibilisation theory and a feminist political ecology lens to investigate previously overshadowed aspects of this law. I demonstrate that the responsibility for food waste (FW) management has shifted from retailers to charitable organisations. Associations face significant logistical costs, strict hygiene norms and low-quality surplus, often acting as “garbage bins” for the retail sector. This system creates an unequal power dynamic where supermarkets profit through tax breaks while relying on the unpaid care work of volunteers... (More)
Food loss and waste (FLW) is an urgent global challenge. France pioneered in implementing a binding legal framework that incentivises supermarkets to donate their surplus to charities. In this thesis, I combine responsibilisation theory and a feminist political ecology lens to investigate previously overshadowed aspects of this law. I demonstrate that the responsibility for food waste (FW) management has shifted from retailers to charitable organisations. Associations face significant logistical costs, strict hygiene norms and low-quality surplus, often acting as “garbage bins” for the retail sector. This system creates an unequal power dynamic where supermarkets profit through tax breaks while relying on the unpaid care work of volunteers to sustain their systems of overproduction. Ultimately, this thesis questions the sustainability of redistribution as a primary solution for FLW, arguing for a transition toward FLW prevention at the source combined with greater structural support for associations. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Danklefsen, Mila LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Food Loss and Waste, Loi Garot, Responsibilisation, Power, Sustainability Sciences
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:008
language
English
id
9232954
date added to LUP
2026-06-09 10:58:49
date last changed
2026-06-09 10:58:49
@misc{9232954,
  abstract     = {{Food loss and waste (FLW) is an urgent global challenge. France pioneered in implementing a binding legal framework that incentivises supermarkets to donate their surplus to charities. In this thesis, I combine responsibilisation theory and a feminist political ecology lens to investigate previously overshadowed aspects of this law. I demonstrate that the responsibility for food waste (FW) management has shifted from retailers to charitable organisations. Associations face significant logistical costs, strict hygiene norms and low-quality surplus, often acting as “garbage bins” for the retail sector. This system creates an unequal power dynamic where supermarkets profit through tax breaks while relying on the unpaid care work of volunteers to sustain their systems of overproduction. Ultimately, this thesis questions the sustainability of redistribution as a primary solution for FLW, arguing for a transition toward FLW prevention at the source combined with greater structural support for associations.}},
  author       = {{Danklefsen, Mila}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Limits to redistribution: Evidence from France's anti-food waste law}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}