The circular economy has become, in 2025, a mandatory principle for the European food industry. Beyond environmental rhetoric, the concept has evolved into a set of legal norms and financing conditions that are radically changing the way companies produce, package, and distribute food.

According to the European Commission (DG ENV, 2024), the new Legislative Package on Food Sustainability requires industry operators to reduce organic waste by at least 30% by 2030 and to ensure the recycling of packaging materials in a proportion of at least 65%. For processors and retailers, these requirements have become direct conditions for accessing European funds and public markets.

The OECD emphasizes that the circular economy is not just an environmental policy, but an economic strategy: the reuse of resources, energy optimization, and the transformation of waste into industrial inputs can generate profitability increases of 10–15% within five years. Moreover, adopting these principles enhances brand positioning and consumer loyalty.

The World Bank, in its report Circular Economy and Food Systems Transition (2025), shows that Eastern Europe has the highest potential for reducing food losses in processing and distribution chains. Romania, for example, loses over 2.8 million tons of food annually, one-third of which originates from the processing industry, according to Eurostat (2025).

Adopting the circular economy requires investments in separation, composting, recycling, and bioconversion technologies. The European Commission provides grants and green loans through the Horizon Europe and InvestEU programs for companies implementing integrated circular models.

For Romania, the shift from a linear to a circular model represents a dual opportunity: reducing environmental pressure while building a modern, competitive, and resilient food economy. In the coming years, success will no longer be measured solely in production figures, but in the ability to harness every resource — down to the last calorie, gram, or package.

(Photo: Freepik)