Comparative analysis of food waste laws in Singapore and Japan: an examination of legal frameworks in hope of achieving Singapore’s zero-waste vision

Abstract

This article compares food waste laws in Singapore and Japan and analyses similarities and differences in their legal approaches to minimizing food waste across the food supply chain. The research undertaken demonstrates that although there is broad alignment in many aspects of the two countries’ food waste recycling laws, the specific requirements differ significantly due to each country’s unique circumstances. This has given rise to implementation issues that hamper large-scale food waste recycling in Singapore. These issues encompass, inter alia, the law’s limited applicability to food-related establishments and the lack of clarity regarding acceptable output from food waste treatment processes. Moreover, Singapore does not have a separate law targeted at avoiding food loss, a potentially more effective approach that is aligned with the food waste hierarchy. However, Japan’s experience demonstrates that, even with a law in place, success in food waste prevention typically relies on voluntary efforts and strong public engagement. Based on these findings, the article concludes that Singapore’s existing food waste law can contribute to a certain extent the achievement of its ‘zero-waste’ vision.