Did you know that 26% of total food consumption is wasted annually according to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia? Did you also know that 8% of global warming results from wasted food according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization? These numbers are dire, however if we start acting right now, we may be able to reduce the harmful effects.
Waste management has been improving in the past years in the Middle East with many initiatives working to reduce food waste and encourage recycling. Saudi Arabia has jumped on that train with many companies and organizations in the country working towards that.
Introducing Tadweer Food Recycling Company, a Saudi Arabian company that is based in Dammam. The corporation was founded in 2016 in hopes of tackling a national issue of food waste, to diminish its effect on the environment and society. One of their aims is to partner with the relevant food agencies and companies that usually have excessive leftover foods, such as hotels, malls, wedding halls, and supermarkets. In this way they treat the excess food and convert it into organic soil fertilizers.
You can go on their website and get a quote on their compost and waste management services in case you believe you have a surplus a food waste happening either in your home your work or your business get your family on board your coworkers your managers or your employees to ensure the ripple fact. As for recycling, it is one of the core parts of Saudi Vision 2030 so the Kingdom is working towards a circular economy and one of the goals is that recycling will contribute an annual income of $32 billion by 2035.
The Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of KSA has mentioned that 94% of waste will be recycled by 2035 as well instead of being taken to landfills. As for actual centers that are currently working on the problem, you have WASCO (Waste Collection and Recycling Co. Ltd. in Riyadh, Arab Recycling Co which is a recycling center that has a branch in Dammam, you have Holoul Recycling Solutions, a branch in Jeddah, and many more others that will help you achieve your environmental goals.
