#WasteLessRetail: Smarter Retail, Less Waste
On World Food Day, the EU-funded SISTERS project celebrates its advances in making retail and distribution more sustainable. The project is transforming how retailers and wholesalers manage food waste — from smarter labels to compostable packaging and best-practice recognition.
Innovations for a Sustainable Retail Sector
- Bio-based, compostable packaging. Active films and rigid containers made from renewable sources keep food fresh longer and reduce single-use plastics. All are designed to be home-compostable and safe for food contact.
- Dynamic labelling. Digital and interactive labels (developed by REBUSLAB) adjust prices in real time according to the product’s remaining shelf life, improving transparency for consumers and helping retailers minimise waste.
- Best Practices for Retailers. SISTERS’ Decalogue of Best Practices brings together 10 proven actions that cut losses and boost circular business models — from food donations and AI-based stock rotation to eco-packaging and consumer education.
- SISTERS Seal of Excellence. Retailers adopting these practices can be recognised with the SISTERS Seal of Excellence, a mark of commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Pilot stores are already implementing it across six Spanish provinces
Best Practices for Retailers: From Waste to Value
To help retailers reduce food loss and adopt more circular business models, SISTERS has developed the Guide of Good Practices for the Distribution Sector — a practical document featuring ten actionable measures to tackle food waste in stores.
These practices form the basis of the SISTERS Seal of Excellence, recognising retailers that “Support Sustainable Practices”.
They are already being tested by major European chains — proving that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Retailers Leading the Way
Retailers across Europe are already putting these practices into action:
AB Vassilopoulos (Greece) – Love Food Program: 18 million meals donated in 2024.
ANCC-COOP (Italy) – Buon Fine Project: 9 million meals donated in 2023, education campaigns and label innovation.
Gruppo Poli (Italy) – Eco-packaging, AI optimisation, collaboration with Too Good To Go
Workshops for #Retail with EROSKI
EROSKI, Spain’s cooperative supermarket group, leads by example in promoting sustainable retail. From smart packaging to consumer awareness, it integrates innovation into daily operations to fight food waste.
Workshop 1 – Innovation And Sustainability In Food Packaging
Bilbao – 2 October 2025
A technical session focused on innovation in packaging, traceability, and food logistics — exploring how bio-based packaging and smart monitoring can reduce losses and improve sustainability in food distribution.
Workshop 2 – Retail Innovation Meets Sustainability: The SISTERS Tools in Practice
Bilbao – 16 October 2025 #WorldFoodDay
A hands-on event presenting SISTERS’ key retail tools — bio-based packaging, the Decalogue of Best Practices, the Seal of Excellence, and dynamic labelling — connecting professionals and consumers around practical ways to reduce waste.
Held on World Food Day (16 October), this event echoes a global call for more sustainable food systems and responsible resource use. In 2025, the theme focuses on reducing food loss and waste — a mission at the heart of SISTERS. Through the #WasteLessRetail campaign, the project transforms this international commitment into tangible actions at the supermarket level.
Download the WP4 D&C kit
SISTERS Best Practices Flyer – Part 2 1.99 MB 0 downloads
A summary of the ten SISTERS Best Practices for Retailers — from reusable packaging...SISTERS Guide of Good Practices for Retailers (EN) 14.74 MB 32 downloads
A practical handbook with ten proven actions to reduce food waste in distribution...
SISTERS Guide of Good Practices for Retailers (ES) 12.00 KB 0 downloads
A practical handbook with ten proven actions to reduce food waste in distribution...Further Resources: Practice Abstracst
Press releases
The latest SISTERS press release highlights how EU-funded innovations are transforming food distribution. From compostable packaging and smart labelling to a Seal of Excellence for retailers, SISTERS is helping the sector cut waste and boost sustainability on World Food Day.
To be realised on October 16th, World Food Day 2025 (EN & ES).
SISTERS Guide of Good Practices for Retailers (EN)
Stay updated with our blog posts
Smart Logistics to Cut Food Waste: How SISTERS Is Changing Retail
Learn how the EU’s SISTERS project and EROSKI are reducing food waste through smart logistics, reusable packaging, and a Seal of Excellence for sustainable supermarkets.
Giving Food a Second Chance: How Dynamic Labelling Helps Cut Retail Waste
Discover how the EU-funded SISTERS project is helping retailers cut food waste with dynamic labelling — a smart system that adapts prices and shelf information in real time to save food and resources.
