an average Bahraini wastes 0.3kg of food a day

 Bahrain, like other gulf countries, is generating huge quantities of food waste, which increases many folds during the month of Ramadan..

Head of Waste Disposal Unit at the Supreme Council for Environment Rehan Ahmed told DT News the data on food waste is collected from contractors deputed with burying it in the Askar area.

Ahmed stated, “Many of the expensive food items are exported from far off countries and waste of this importing expense is a major concern.”

 Since futoor, suhoor and ghabgas are favourites during the Ramadan month, many families stock them up for families and guests.

 Ahmed said a majority of families buy more than required of these food items, and suppliers are pressurized to meet the demand with more imports.

 “About 15-20 per cent of all food purchased by consumers find it’s way to the garbage bin even before being eaten. This increases to 50 pc during Ramadan and festivals,” he said.

Rehan said food wastage has been increasing every year, and this year is not an exception.

He estimated that over 400 tons of organic food waste is being generated per day in the Kingdom. During Ramadan, this may go up to 600 tons per day. And according to statistics, an average person wastes 0.3kg of food a day.

 Records indicate demand for meat goes up 50 pc over normal demand.

Similar is the cases of vegetables, fruits and dairy products, which fly off shelves during Ramadan or such special occasions.

 Bahrain is not the only country facing this problem. Saudi Arabia generates food wastes of about 4500 tons per day, Dubai 500 tons per day and Abu Dhabi about 1,850 tons per day.

 Rehan said judicial shopping habits and buying items with longer shelf periods, are the most effective methods to solve the problem.

 “Over the years, people have become more wasteful due to rise in income, living standards and affordability. But affordability does not mean that wastage should increase,” he said.

Bahrain, like other gulf countries, is generating huge quantities of food waste, which increases many folds during the month of Ramadan..

 Head of Waste Disposal Unit at the Supreme Council for Environment Rehan Ahmed told DT News the data on food waste is collected from contractors deputed with burying it in the Askar area.

 Ahmed stated, “Many of the expensive food items are exported from far off countries and waste of this importing expense is a major concern.”

 Since futoor, suhoor and ghabgas are favourites during the Ramadan month, many families stock them up for families and guests.

 Ahmed said a majority of families buy more than required of these food items, and suppliers are pressurized to meet the demand with more imports.

 “About 15-20 per cent of all food purchased by consumers find it’s way to the garbage bin even before being eaten. This increases to 50 pc during Ramadan and festivals,” he said.

 Rehan said food wastage has been increasing every year, and this year is not an exception.

 He estimated that over 400 tons of organic food waste is being generated per day in the Kingdom. During Ramadan, this may go up to 600 tons per day. And according to statistics, an average person wastes 0.3kg of food a day.

Records indicate demand for meat goes up 50 pc over normal demand.

Similar is the cases of vegetables, fruits and dairy products, which fly off shelves during Ramadan or such special occasions.

 Bahrain is not the only country facing this problem. Saudi Arabia generates food wastes of about 4500 tons per day, Dubai 500 tons per day and Abu Dhabi about 1,850 tons per day.

Rehan said judicial shopping habits and buying items with longer shelf periods, are the most effective methods to solve the problem.

 “Over the years, people have become more wasteful due to rise in income, living standards and affordability. But affordability does not mean that wastage should increase,” he said.