How Hospitality Businesses in Europe Can Turn Food Waste into Impact

Intro:
Food waste laws across Europe are tightening, and hospitality businesses are under growing pressure to act. But the opportunity here isn’t just about compliance — it’s about brand value, cost savings, and doing something real for the planet.

Here’s how composting, when done right, can help hotels, restaurants, and venues reduce waste, stay compliant, and actually show guests the good they’re doing.

Why Food Waste Needs Rethinking
Let’s start with a stat: Up to 70% of food waste in hospitality happens before it even reaches the plate. We’re talking prep scraps, overproduction, spoilage, and plate returns that never stood a chance.

Most of this ends up in general bins. That means more disposal fees, more emissions, and missed chances to do better.

EU Regulations Are Getting Serious
Across the EU, new rules are in place requiring businesses to separate and report organic waste — with enforcement ramping up.

→ Spain now requires separate food waste collection in all municipalities.
→ France and Italy have mandatory sorting and composting targets.
→ More countries are introducing fines for non-compliance.

For venues that aren’t acting yet, the message is clear: start separating food waste now, or risk penalties later.

So, What Can You Do?
There are a few options out there:

→ Municipal composting: Useful in cities, but often limited in scope and support.
→ On-site composting: Great if you’ve got the space, tech budget, and team buy-in.
→ Partner with a specialist: That’s where Sobra® comes in.

Meet Sobra®: A Composting Partner Built for Hospitality
Sobra® is a registered composting programme designed specifically for hotels, resorts, and food venues. Based in Spain and expanding across Europe, we make it easy for hospitality teams to turn organic waste into certified compost — and show the results.

Here’s how we help:

→ Set-up & Training: We assess your site, install the bins, and train your staff.
→ Tracking Tools: Know what’s being wasted, when, and why.
→ Certified Composting: Your food waste gets turned into nutrient-rich compost used locally.
→ Marketing Support: We help you communicate it to guests and clients, without the greenwash.
→ Ongoing Support: Regular check-ins, fresh signage, and retraining when needed.

It’s more than a bin service. It’s a full-circle system that helps you prove your impact and protect your reputation.

What You Get Out of It
→ Compliance peace of mind
→ Lower waste management costs
→ A real sustainability story for guests and clients
→ Recognition through Sobra® Certification
→ Better brand value and booking appeal

We’ve seen it work — and we’re just getting started.

Want to Start Composting at Your Venue?
If you’re operating in Spain or nearby, we can help you assess feasibility, get set up, and turn waste into something good.