Abu Dhabi, UAE: Initial findings from The Emirate of Abu Dhabi Waste Master Plan 2040’s Waste Characterisation Study were highlighted at the Waste Master Plan’s first Steering Committee meeting, which concluded at the end of March. Sharing the information through an official communiqué, Tadweer, The Center of Waste Management, Abu Dhabi, said that the findings indicate that a significant amount of municipal solid waste is food, and elaborated that estimations of food waste range from 35% to roughly 50% in some waste collection areas in the emirate.

According to Tadweer, the fieldwork for the Waste Characterisation Study was carried out in a three-month time frame across nine waste collection lots at six different locations across Abu Dhabi, and once completed, will provide key information for use in the development of the Abu Dhabi Waste Master Plan.

Dr Salem Al Kaabi, Deputy General Manager at Tadweer, highlighting the sub-categorisation of municipal solid waste, said, “This is an important finding, because we know that food waste has the potential to biodegrade without oxygen in landfills, producing methane gas, which has 21 times greater GHG (greenhouse gas) polluting capacity than carbon dioxide.”

The study is avowedly a significant part of developing the high-level scenarios for waste management, which are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter this year, with the project aiming to ensure long-term environmental, economic and social sustainability for Abu Dhabi.

Given the far-reaching repercussions of solid waste on the environment, Climate Control Middle East magazine, which is deeply invested in the issue of food safety, underscores the efficacy of an efficient transport refrigeration system. That food waste can be reduced through good cold chain practices at all stages of the farm-to-fork link, especially in the region, with its increasing demand for frozen food and high ambient temperature, is a point the magazine has raised at various forums, and now reiterates.