COMCEC

Reducing Food Waste

In the OIC Member Countries

Table 32: Estimated food waste generated, on average, by Saudi food service respondents,

per year

Food type

Average food waste per year (kg)

Meat, chicken & fish

Fruit

Vegetables &salad

101

Cereals &bakery

0.02

Sweets

0.05

liters

Fruit juice

1,428

Carbonated drinks

448

Milk

2,198

Yoghurt

2,275

Source: Field survey results: Cameroon, SaudiArabia & Turkey: 100 household and 100food service establishments;

Afghanistan, Benin, Senegal and Uzbekistan: 20 household and 20food service establishments.

Measures and strategies implemented to reduce food waste

Three to four years ago, a government committee 3-4 years consisting of the Ministries of

Agriculture, Health and Commerce, and the Saudi Food and Drug Association (FDA), was formed

to deal with the issue of food waste. However, no specific outcomes from this initiative could be

identified (UDA Consulting, 2016a). Most food waste related activities in the country tend to be

co-ordinated by religious NGOs.

A relatively sound municipal solid waste management (MSW) system does exist in the country.

Solid waste is collected in large bins situated in commercial and residential areas. Collected

waste is handled at transfer stations prior to being sent to landfill sites. Food waste represents

approximately 37% this waste collected.

Specific recommendations to reduce household and food service food waste

Based on survey findings, and research into current interventions, the following Saudi-specific

recommendations to reduce household and food service sector food waste are suggested:

• As Saudi Arabia has a good MSW system in place, the introduction of facilities to

separate food waste should be considered, and incentivized. Food waste collected

can be composted with the infrastructure provided to do so.

• Cultural drivers, such as the stigma associated with taking leftovers from restaurants

indicates that awareness raising campaigns and reduction initiatives should be

implemented to educate and encourage citizens to change their behavior. A

respondent suggested that this could be along the same lines as the ‘Seat belt'

campaign run in the country. In addition, the campaign should focus on how to better

purchase and cook food, and use leftovers.

• Many respondents noted that buffets generated the most food waste. This format of

serving food should be improved or limited.