Dubai faces significant food waste challenges due to its booming tourism industry and hospitality sector which attract millions of visitors annually. This surge in demand and cultural sharing practices contributes to substantial food waste with detrimental environmental and economic impacts. To address this issue, Dubai can implement a food recycling program to convert non-edible waste into usable products and establish a program to donate edible surplus food to the UAE Food Bank which has successfully distributed over 50 million meals. These solutions engaging the community and industries can significantly reduce Dubai's food waste.

1. Addressing Food waste in Dubai
By: Mahra Salem Mohmmed Albedwawi

2. Overview of the Causes/Effects of Food Waste in
Dubai
• Dubai is facing a significant challenge with food waste,
primarily due to its booming tourism industry and the
associated hospitality sector. The city attracts millions of
visitors annually, resulting in increased demand for food
services, especially in hotels and restaurants. This surge in
demand, coupled with cultural practices such as sharing or
giving food during special events, contributes to a
substantial amount of food waste. The statistics from the
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism reveal a
consistent rise in the number of overnight visitors, reaching
12.40 million between January and September 2023.
• The issue of food waste has detrimental effects on the
environment and resources. When excess food ends up in
landfills, it contributes to environmental degradation and the
release of harmful greenhouse gases. Additionally, the
economic impact is significant, as resources used in food
production, transportation, and preparation go to waste.

3. Suggested Solutions
1. Food Recycling Program:
• Implementing a comprehensive food recycling program is a
promising solution. This involves converting non-edible food
remains into usable products such as fertilizer or animal
feeds. Studies have demonstrated the feasibility of this
approach, and community-driven initiatives, like the one in
the Sustainable City of Al Qudra Road, have proven
successful. Involving residents in the collection and recycling
process enhances community engagement and awareness.
2. Donation to UAE Food Bank:
• Establishing a program to collect and donate edible food
remains to the UAE Food Bank is another effective strategy.
By redirecting surplus but still usable food from hotels and
restaurants to the Food Bank, Dubai can significantly reduce
food waste. The UAE Food Bank has a successful track
record, distributing over 50 million meals and establishing
partnerships with various entities, including hotels and
restaurants.

4. Conclusion
• In conclusion, addressing food waste in Dubai requires
a multifaceted approach that considers the specific
challenges posed by the city's tourism and hospitality
industry. By implementing a food recycling program
and establishing a system to donate edible surplus to
the UAE Food Bank, Dubai can significantly mitigate
the environmental, economic, and social impacts of
food waste. Engaging the community, hotels, and
restaurants in these initiatives ensures long-term
sustainability and a collective commitment to reducing
food waste in this dynamic and globally recognized
city.

5. References
1. Alrawabdeh, W. (2021). Seasonal balancing of revenue and demand in hotel industry: the case of Dubai City. Journal of Revenue and Pricing
Management, 1-14.
2. Baig, M. B., Al-Zahrani, K. H., Schneider, F., Straquadine, G. S., & Mourad, M. (2019). Food waste posing a serious threat to sustainability in
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia–A systematic review. Saudi journal of biological sciences, 26(7), 1743-1752.
3. Baig, M. B., Gorski, I., & Neff, R. A. (2019). Understanding and addressing waste of food in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of
Biological Sciences, 26(7), 1633-1648.
4. Department of Economy and Tourism. (2023). Tourism Performance Report January - September 2023. www.dubaitourism.gov.ae.
https://www.dubaitourism.gov.ae/en/research-and-insights/tourism-performance-report-sep-2023
5. Essam, S., Gill, T., & Alders, R. G. (2022). Dubai municipality initiative to reduce food loss. Sustainability, 14(9), 5374.
6. Kumar, A. (2021). Dubai’s Sustainable City launches trial phase of recyling food waste to create compost. www.GulfNews.com.
https://gulfnews.com/uae/dubais-sustainable-city-launches-trial-phase-of-recyling-food-waste-to-create-compost-1.83521227
7. UAE Food Bank. (2023). UAE Food bank distributes more than 50 Million meals since its establishment. https://www.dm.gov.ae/foodbank/