Food waste costs the UAE an estimated 3.5 billion dollars (3.1 billion Euros) per year according to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Khalid Al-Huraimal, the CEO of Emirati environmental-management company Bee’ah, said up to 38% of food is wasted in the UAE, and this figure rises to 60% during Ramadan. During Ramadan demand for meat increases by almost 50%, alongside other items like vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.

Ne’ma awareness campaigns

Ne’ma which aims to encourage the public and private sectors across the food chain to address food waste and encourage responsible consumption to preserve food resources.

Using AI to reduce food waste

London-based start-up Winnow Solutions is using artificial intelligence (AI) to scan and identify excess food waste with cameras within the UAE. They claim they can prevent up to 70% of food waste in the first year of use.

Focus on hospitality

A third of food wasted is within the hospitality sector, where it can impact on profitability as well the environment. Many restaurants and hotels are switching away from buffets, where a lot of food is not eaten, to à la carte menus or smaller buffets.

Household waste

Dubai Carbon advises households to buy loose vegetables, which allows them to buy only the amount needed; and to select products that do not have an extra layer of packaging.

Redistributing unwanted food

Tech company BonApp currently works with 150 food providers who sell their excess food through the app to users.

Food for those who need it

The UAE Food Bank was launched in 2017 to help feed those in need and reduce food waste.

Innovations for food waste

Innovative solutions for food waste are also being developed in the UAE such as the Dubai Central Lab (DCL) which are promoting food waste recycling by using a machine that can artificially digest food and turn it into grey water.

Businesses thinking sustainably

Others are simply composting waste. For example, at the Cave Rotana Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah, food waste is put into a composter before fertilising the hotel grounds.

Zero waste initiatives

The Region’s First Commercial Scale Waste to Energy Plant in the Emirate of Sharjah was inaugurated in 2022. The Emirates Waste to Energy company is a joint venture between Bee’ah, the Middle East’s sustainability pioneer, and Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies.