I have been volunteering in Iftar events during Ramadan every year. Many Ramadan tents and Iftar distribution centres can be seen everywhere in the UAE and I have noticed very often food is served in excess at many places. How many of us have asked themselves?What are the impacts of food wastage on natural resources? Where do these impacts come from? The environmental impacts of food mostly occur during the production phase because of energy and natural resources usage that are associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. I always raise awareness of food wastage during Ramadan that can be easily avoided of being buried in landfills, where it decomposes into toxic greenhouse gases like methane. Disposal and waste of food is a problem of global concern and should be taken seriously.

The Dubai Municipality has taken many initiatives and is drafting new guidelines for food establishments to keep food wastage in check, especially in the month of Ramadan and during other festivals. The move also aims at getting as many charity organisations as possible on board to help donate the surplus food to the needy. The municipality has been coordinating with the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities and local charity groups to collect leftover food from functions and hotels and distribute them to needy families, workers and others.

The project titled Hifz Al- Ni?am, (Value the Blessings) the municipality bears all the technical responsibility with regards to the safety of the collected food and Islamic affairs deals with volunteers and charity groups. Several thousands of people have benefitted from the programme that started in 2008.  The municipality wants to streamline the programme by issuing guidelines and bringing on board the maximum number of food outlets and voluntary and charity groups. The department has launched an awareness drive to highlight the importance of exercising especially after dinner and how sports prevents diseases and enhances health that is must for a sustainable future.

I want to share some tips to avoid food wastage during such events:

1. Don?t serve full loaded dishes.

2. Try to find out ways to make edible items with leftover food.

3. Avoid random shopping

4. Use local items to discourage high level of carbon emission    caused for transportation.

5. Those preparing food should have a clear understanding of the number of people they are anticipating and they should cook and serve the food as per the numbers and need.

6. Always check the expiry date.

7. Try to donate food.

8. Prepare the list of items to be bought.

9. Always be aware of the nature of products you buy as to which can be kept frozen, and which can be kept dried.

 10. Always think about people who are dying without having food.

11. Try to use leftover food as organic fertilization to plants and trees.

Judicious use of resources is must for Environmental Protection and Preservation and it is necessary to make better use of food already available with the current level of production. It would help meet future demand with a lower increase in agricultural production and subsequently helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To cleverly reintroduce food waste into the food system again increases the efficiency and strengthen the sustainability of food networks.