Dubai: The UAE government has launched a strong initiative to combat food waste by partnering the UAE Food Bank with the National Initiative to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (Ne'ma). This collaboration will collect surplus food from hotels and catering centers and distribute it to those in need, aiming to collect one million food packages annually.
In the first phase, food packages will be sourced from 75 prominent hotels across the country. Agreements have been made with these hotels to donate excess food, while inedible waste will be excluded. Dubai Municipality announced that hotel participation in the NEMA initiative has grown by 75% over the past three years.
To facilitate the initiative, NEMA is installing refrigeration units in key locations in Dubai where surplus food can be stored. These units will also serve as collection points for those in need. NEMA will oversee the entire collection and distribution process as part of the UAE's broader humanitarian efforts.
Additionally, an agreement with Re Loop Company will ensure that inedible waste is converted into oil and compost. During Ramadan last year, 47,000 kg of compost was produced from food waste, according to Khuloud Hassan Al Nowais, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of NEMA.
The UAE Food Bank has also launched the United in Giving campaign, which aims to provide seven million meals to those in need during Ramadan. This initiative was launched under the directive of Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, as confirmed by the Dubai Government Media Office.
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